Fire vs. Flame: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Fire is a rapid, persistent chemical reaction emitting heat and light, while a flame is the visible, glowing part of fire.
Key Differences
Fire is a chemical reaction involving fuel, oxygen, and heat, producing energy and light. Flames are the luminous, often colored, portions of fire, visible as part of the combustion process.
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Dec 07, 2023
In Fire, combustion releases heat, light, and often smoke. Flame, however, specifically refers to the bright, glowing gas seen when a material combusts.
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Dec 07, 2023
Fire can exist without a visible flame, especially in slow, smoldering reactions. Conversely, a flame always indicates the presence of fire, being its most recognizable feature.
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Dec 07, 2023
The study of fire encompasses understanding combustion, heat transfer, and fire behavior. The study of flames focuses on their structure, color, and temperature, indicative of the combustion process.
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Dec 07, 2023
Fire is a broader concept, encompassing both flames and the reaction process. Flame, on the other hand, is a specific element of fire, representing its visible and most dynamic aspect.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A rapid chemical reaction emitting heat and light
The visible, glowing part of fire
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Dec 07, 2023
Components
Requires fuel, oxygen, and heat
Composed of hot gases, often showing various colors
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Dec 07, 2023
Visibility
Not always visible (e.g., smoldering fire)
Always visible when present
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Dec 07, 2023
Role in Combustion
The overall process of combustion
A product of the combustion process
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Dec 07, 2023
Study Focus
Involves combustion, heat transfer, fire suppression
Focuses on structure, color, and temperature of the glowing gas
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Dec 07, 2023
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Fire and Flame Definitions
Fire
Fire can mean intense enthusiasm or passion.
She spoke with fire about her revolutionary ideas.
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Nov 24, 2023
Flame
Flame also signifies a fervent or passionate state.
He spoke with a flame in his eyes about his dreams.
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Nov 24, 2023
Fire
Fire is used metaphorically to represent energy or liveliness.
His performance on stage was full of fire.
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Nov 24, 2023
Flame
The zone of burning gases and fine suspended matter associated with rapid combustion; a hot, glowing mass of burning gas or vapor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance
Destruction by fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Fire
A specific instance of this change that destroys something
A house fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
Something resembling a flame in motion, brilliance, intensity, or shape.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Burning intensity of feeling; ardor or enthusiasm
A musical performance that had fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
(Informal) An insulting criticism or remark meant to incite anger, as on a computer network.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance
The fire of an artistic genius.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
A severe test; a trial or torment
Went through fire to become a leader.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
A fever or bodily inflammation
Tormented by the fire in an infected toe.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
(Informal) To make insulting criticisms or remarks, as on a computer network, to incite anger.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
(Informal) To insult or criticize provokingly, as on a computer network.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Discharged bullets or other projectiles
Subjected enemy positions to heavy mortar fire.
Struck by rifle fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Intense, repeated attack or criticism
Answered the fire from her political critics.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
A romantic partner or lover in a usually short-lived but passionate affair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To illuminate or cause to resemble fire, as in color
The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To start (a fuel-burning engine or a vehicle with such an engine). Often used with up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the curl.
The cello has a two-piece back with a beautiful narrow flame.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up
Demonstrators who were fired up by their sense of injustice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardour.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
To post a destructively critical or abusive message (to somebody).
I flamed him for spamming in my favourite newsgroup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To propel (a projectile) from a weapon or launch (a missile)
Fired several rounds before the gun jammed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
A stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat; darting or streaming fire; a blaze; a fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(Informal) To throw or propel with force and speed
Fire a ball at a batter.
Fire a puck at the goal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
Burning zeal or passion; elevated and noble enthusiasm; glowing imagination; passionate excitement or anger.
Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow.
Smit with the love of sister arts we came,And met congenial, mingling flame with flame.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(Games) To score (a number) in a game or contest
The golfer fired a 35 on the front nine.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
To burn with a flame or blaze; to burn as gas emitted from bodies in combustion; to blaze.
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardor.
He flamed with indignation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
To kindle; to inflame; to excite.
And flamed with zeal of vengeance inwardly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke;
Fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
Shine with a sudden light;
The night sky flared with the massive bombardment
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
Be in flames or aflame;
The sky seemed to flame in the Hawaiian sunset
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
A flame is the visible, glowing part of a fire.
The candle's flame flickered in the wind.
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Nov 24, 2023
Flame
Flame refers to a stream of hot, burning gas from something on fire.
The gas stove emitted a steady blue flame.
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Nov 24, 2023
Fire
(uncountable) A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
Flame can symbolize passion or an intense emotion.
Their romance was described as an undying flame.
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Nov 24, 2023
Fire
(countable) An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).
We sat about the fire singing songs and telling tales.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flame
Flame is used to describe something resembling a fire's glow.
The sunset painted the sky in shades of flame.
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Nov 24, 2023
Fire
(countable) The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.
There was a fire at the school last night and the whole place burned down.
During hot and dry summers many fires in forests are caused by regardlessly discarded cigarette butts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
The aforementioned chemical reaction of burning, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
A heater or stove used in place of a real fire (such as an electric fire).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(countable) The elements necessary to start a fire.
The fire was laid and needed to be lit.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(uncountable) The bullets or other projectiles fired from a gun or other ranged weapon.
The fire from the enemy guns kept us from attacking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(countable) A planned bombardment by artillery or similar weapons, or the capability to deliver such.
We dominated the battlespace with our fires.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(rocketry) An instance of firing one or more rocket engines.
Static fire
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(transitive) To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.
If you fire the pottery at too high a temperature, it may crack.
They fire the wood to make it easier to put a point on the end.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(transitive) To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct or poor performance).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(transitive) To shoot (a gun, rocket/missile, or analogous device).
We will fire our guns at the enemy.
The jet fired a salvo of rockets at the truck convoy.
He fired his radar gun at passing cars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(intransitive) To shoot a gun, cannon, or similar weapon.
Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(rocketry) To operate a rocket engine to produce thrust.
The RCS thrusters fired several times to stabilize the tumbling spacecraft.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To cause an action potential in a cell.
When a neuron fires, it transmits information.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(transitive) To forcibly direct (something).
He answered the questions the reporters fired at him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To initiate an event (by means of an event handler).
The event handler should only fire after all web page content has finished loading.
The queue fires a job whenever the thread pool is ready to handle it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
(transitive) To inflame; to irritate, as the passions.
To fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To animate; to give life or spirit to.
To fire the genius of a young man
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of bodies; combustion; state of ignition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a stove or a furnace.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth; consuming violence of temper.
He had fire in his temper.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal.
And bless their critic with a poet's fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star.
Stars, hide your fires.
As in a zodiacrepresenting the heavenly fires.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were exposed to a heavy fire.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln; as, to fire pottery.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge.
Love had fired my mind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the genius of a young man.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.
[The sun] fires the proud tops of the eastern pines.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge; as, to fire a rifle, pistol, or cannon; to fire cannon balls, rockets, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To dismiss from employment, a post, or other job; to cause (a person) to cease being an employee; - of a person. The act of firing is usually performed by that person's supervisor or employer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the town.to grow irritated or angry.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
The event of something burning (often destructive);
They lost everything in the fire
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke;
Fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy;
Hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
They retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
A fireplace in which a fire is burning;
They sat by the fire and talked
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Intense adverse criticism;
Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
The government has come under attack
Don't give me any flak
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Terminate the employment of;
The boss fired his secretary today
The company terminated 25% of its workers
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Drive out or away by or as if by fire;
The soldiers were fired
Surrender fires the cold skepticism
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
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Oct 19, 2023
Fire
Fire is the heat and light produced by combustion.
The campers gathered around the fire for warmth.
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Nov 24, 2023
Fire
Fire refers to the process of burning something combustible.
The fire spread quickly through the dry forest.
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Nov 24, 2023
Fire
Fire is a destructive burning.
The house was destroyed by a devastating fire.
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Nov 24, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are flames always the same color?
No, they vary based on temperature and materials burning.
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Dec 07, 2023
What causes the color in flames?
Different elements burning in the fire cause various colors.
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Dec 07, 2023
What is the role of oxygen in fire and flames?
Oxygen supports the combustion process in both.
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Dec 07, 2023
Do flames have different temperatures?
Yes, depending on the fire and fuel.
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Dec 07, 2023
Does the size of a flame indicate the fire's intensity?
Not always, as fire intensity depends on multiple factors.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can fire be controlled to prevent flames?
Yes, through fire suppression techniques.
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Dec 07, 2023
What are the environmental impacts of fires?
They can release pollutants and affect ecosystems.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can flame color be used to diagnose fire conditions?
Yes, it can indicate the fire's temperature and the materials burning.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can fire symbolize something other than combustion?
Yes, like passion or energy.
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Dec 07, 2023
What safety measures are important for fire?
Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and evacuation plans.
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Dec 07, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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