Flared
[fleəd]
Definitions
3 meaningsTo burn or blaze suddenly and intensely; to become suddenly brighter.
[fleər]
To burn or shine with a sudden intensity.
The bonfire flared up as more wood was added.
💡 Simply: Imagine lighting a match. When you first strike it, it might flare up really quickly with a bright flame before settling down. That's what 'flared' means: to suddenly become bright or intense, like the flame of a candle.
👶 For kids: When something flares, it means it suddenly gets bright and big, like a fire!
More Examples
Her anger flared in her eyes.
The pilot flared the landing lights.
How It's Used
"The firefighters were able to control the fire before it flared out of control."
"A sudden gust of wind caused the flames to flare higher."
To spread outwards; to widen.
[fleər]
To spread outwards, or widen.
The skirt flared at the bottom.
💡 Simply: Imagine a dress that gets wider towards the bottom, like a bell. That's 'flared'! It means to spread out or widen.
👶 For kids: When something flares, it means it spreads out and gets bigger, like your hand when you open it!
More Examples
The design of the dress flared from the waist down.
The road flared out to create a turning lane.
How It's Used
"The bottom of her skirt flared slightly."
"The pipes were designed to flare at the end for better connection."
Having a shape that spreads or widens outwards.
[fleərd]
Spread outwards.
She was wearing flared trousers.
💡 Simply: When something is 'flared,' it means the sides gradually widen as you go down, just like a bell-bottom pair of pants.
👶 For kids: When something is flared, it means it's getting bigger and spread out!
More Examples
The flared sleeves were fashionable.
The skirt had a flared silhouette.
How It's Used
"She wore flared jeans."
"The car had flared wheel arches."
Idioms & expressions
flare-up
A sudden increase in activity or intensity.
"There was a flare-up of violence in the region."
From Middle English *flaren*, likely a variant of *flaeren* (to blaze, flicker), related to Old Norse *flara* (to flare, blaze).
Used in texts from the 14th century to denote a sudden burst of flame or light, and later extended to other meanings.
Memory tip
Think of a signal flare – it burns brightly and suddenly.
Word Origin
"to blaze, flicker"