How do you pronounce aflame?

The recorded pronunciation is /əˈfleɪm/.

Where does aflame come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

aflame

/əˈfleɪm/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.46 in modern English

Syllables: aflame
IPA: /əˈfleɪm/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Often preceded by set: in or into flames; so as to be burned by fire.

adv

Often preceded by set.

adv

Often preceded by set.

adj

With flames coming from it; burning, flaming, in flames, on fire.

adj

Having the colour of a flame.

adj

In a state of great activity or emotion (anger, excitement, etc.).

verb

Synonym of inflame (“to set (something) on fire; (figurative) to intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or passion); to intensify or kindle a feeling in (someone)”).

Transitive verb

verb

Chiefly in the present participle: to be in flames or on fire; to blaze, to flare up.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"[T]hat blessed martyr, St. Thomas of Canterbury [Thomas Becket], sometime your predecessor, did withstand the unlawful requests of the prince of his time, but would still not only yield and bear with things not to be borne withal, but also set a-flame the fire already kindled— […]"
"Thou wert the baite that Paris gave the dame, / Who in reward, ſet ſtately Troy aflame."
"The sky was soft and bright, but not so gorgeous as Kenyon had seen it, a thousand times, in America; for there the western sky is wont to be set aflame with breadths and depths of color, with which poets seek in vain to dye their verses, and which painters never dare to copy."
"The low sun had set aflame the numerous windows of a large building which turned slowly, demonstrating one huge chimney, then another, as the train clattered by."
"He who sent (If He sent) all those hearts aflame?"
"Workmen employed in the alcohol plant rushed out, their clothing aflames^([sic – meaning aflame]) and many groping their way, blinded by the fire."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂en-der. Proto-Germanic *an Proto-West Germanic *ana Old English on Middle English a- Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-der. Proto-Italic *flagmā Latin flamma Old French flame Anglo-Norman flaumebor. Middle English flawme Middle English a-flame English aflame The adverb is derived from Late Middle English a-flame, from a- (prefix meaning ‘on’ forming adverbial phrases; or denoting being engaged in or occupied by an activity) + flame, flaume, flawme (“flame”). Flame, flawme is derived from Anglo-Norman flaumbe, flaume, and Old French flame, flambe, from Latin flamma, probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to blaze, burn (?); bright flame, fire (?)”). By surface analysis, a- (prefix meaning ‘at; in; on’ denoting a condition, manner, or state) + flame (noun). The adjective is derived from the adverb, which is attested earlier.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Prefix: a-
Root: a-flame, flaumbe, flame, flamma, *bʰel-, flamen
Suffix: flame

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /əˈfleɪm/
British English: /əˈfleɪm/

Usage

Inflected Forms

more aflame (comparative) most aflame (superlative) aflames (present, singular) aflaming (participle, present) aflamed (participle, past) aflamed (past)

Phrases

set the world aflame

Synonyms

ablaze afire inflame aflare alight on fire aroused

Rhymes With

same game name came became claim blame frame shame aim fame flame