Flares
/flɛərz/
Definitions
4 meaningsA device that emits a bright light for signaling or illumination, especially in emergencies.
/flɛər/
A sudden burst of bright light or fire.
The ship sent up a flare to signal distress.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're lost in the woods at night. A flare is like a super bright firework that shoots up to let people know where you are, so they can find you. Like when a police car uses a flare to signal for help.
👶 For kids: A flare is a bright light used to get attention or to help people see in the dark.
More Examples
Emergency services used flares to mark the crash site.
The flares lit up the night sky.
How It's Used
"The rescue team used flares to signal their location."
"The fighter jet deployed flares to evade heat-seeking missiles."
A sudden, intense outburst or increase of something, such as emotions, activity, or a medical condition.
/flɛər/
A sudden outburst of emotion or activity.
The disease experienced a sudden flare of symptoms.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, things suddenly get worse or more intense. Like when your allergies flare up and make you sneeze non-stop, or when a bad feeling, like anger, suddenly comes out of nowhere.
👶 For kids: A flare is when something gets much stronger or worse all of a sudden, like a sore throat that flares up and makes you feel terrible.
More Examples
A flare of anger crossed his face.
The protests saw a flare of violence.
How It's Used
"Her arthritis caused a flare of symptoms."
"There was a sudden flare of anger in his voice."
To burn or blaze with a sudden, bright flame or light.
/flɛər/
To burn or shine with a sudden, bright flame.
The match flared and then went out.
💡 Simply: Imagine a fire you light. When it flares, it's like when the flames get bigger and brighter for a moment. Like when the campfire flares after you add some dry wood.
👶 For kids: To flare is to burst into bright flames or light for a short time.
More Examples
The flames flared brightly.
The light flared suddenly.
How It's Used
"The pilot flared the signal light before landing."
"The bonfire flared up in the wind."
To spread or open outward, often widening from a narrower base.
/flɛər/
To spread outward; to widen.
The skirt flared elegantly around her legs.
💡 Simply: Think of a skirt that gets wider at the bottom, or pants that spread out from the knee down. It's like they're 'flaring' out.
👶 For kids: To flare is to get bigger and wider at the bottom like a trumpet.
More Examples
The pipes flared outward to meet the wider opening.
The bottom of the dress flares dramatically.
How It's Used
"The skirt flares out at the bottom."
"The pipeline flared outwards."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
flare up
To suddenly become worse or more intense (e.g., a fire, a health condition, anger).
"The fire flared up again after the wind picked up."
From Middle English flaren, related to Old Norse flari (“a sudden flash of light”).
The word 'flare' has been used to describe sudden bursts of light or emotion since the late 16th century. Its use in signaling with lights is a more recent development.
Memory tip
Think of a firework that shoots up and flares out in bright light.