Conflagration: meaning, definitions and examples

This word fits formal or serious contexts, often used in news or historical accounts to describe very large, destructive fires that cause significant damage.

• The conflagration that swept through the city left thousands of people homeless

This term is suitable for casual or day-to-day language, describing any fire that burns brightly and strongly. It can be used for both large and small fires.

• Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze before it could spread to nearby buildings

An intense and uncontrollable fire, suggesting a sense of chaos and extreme heat. Often used in dramatic storytelling or news to emphasize the severity of the fire.

• The factory turned into an inferno, with flames rising high into the night sky

Typically used in dramatic or extreme situations, often to describe a fire accompanied by strong winds that spreads rapidly, causing more destruction. It can also refer metaphorically to intense situations.

• The forest fire turned into a firestorm, destroying everything in its path within hours