Flare: meaning, definitions and examples

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flare

[flɛr ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

emergency

A flare is a signal that produces a bright light or intense heat, typically used in emergencies to attract attention.

Synonyms

beacon, flare gun, signal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flare	Used to describe a sudden burst of light or flame, often for a short period. Commonly used in emergency situations or natural phenomena. The rescue team saw the flare and knew where to find the lost hikers The flare from the explosion lit up the night sky
signal	Used to describe any form of communication or indication meant to convey information. Can be visual, auditory, or even a gesture. The green light is a signal that it is safe to go She waved her hand as a signal to start the project
beacon	Refers to a light or a signal that guides or warns. Often used in contexts of navigation, guidance, or as a metaphor for hope and direction. The lighthouse serves as a beacon for ships during the night Her achievements are a beacon of hope for others
flare gun	A specific type of gun designed to shoot flares into the sky, usually for signaling distress or emergencies. The sailors fired the flare gun to signal for help We keep a flare gun in our emergency kit in the boat

Examples of usage

The sailors fired a flare to signal for help.
She kept a flare in her backpack in case of emergency.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

emotion

To flare means to suddenly become angry or excited.

Synonyms

erupt, explode, ignite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flare	Used to describe a sudden burst of light, often in the context of emotions or a signal device. Her temper flared when she heard the news. The signal flare was shot into the sky.
erupt	Used when something bursts out suddenly, often for things like volcanoes, conflicts, or emotions. The volcano erupted after lying dormant for years. Laughter erupted in the room. A fight erupted between the two groups.
ignite	Used to describe the process of something catching fire, as well as metaphorically for starting emotions or actions. The dry leaves ignited easily. Her speech ignited passion in the audience.
explode	Used for physical explosions involving loud noise and force, as well as for sudden expressions of anger or emotion. The bomb exploded in the middle of the night. He exploded with rage when he saw the damage.

Examples of usage

His temper flared when he heard the news.
The argument caused emotions to flare up.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'flare' comes from Middle English 'flaren,' meaning to blaze or burn brightly.
It is related to the Old Norse word 'flara,' which also refers to a bright light or flame.
Originally, it described the act of burning with a sudden brightness, emphasizing the suddenness we associate with the term today.

Science

In astronomy, a solar flare is a sudden eruption of radiation from the sun’s surface, releasing massive amounts of energy.
Flare guns, which launch bright flares into the sky, are crucial in emergency situations to signal distress in remote areas.
Chemically, flares often contain compounds that produce bright colors like red or green, making them easy to see from far away.

Pop Culture

Flares have appeared in movies, such as 'The Signal,' where they symbolize hope and desperation in a sci-fi setting.
In music, 'flare' might refer to dramatic performances meant to capture an audience's attention, reminiscent of theatrical expressions.
Fashion also embraced flares with bell-bottoms in the 1970s, demonstrating how the term transcends its original meaning.

Military

Flares are often used by military forces to illuminate areas during night operations or to signal aircraft.
In warfare, using flares can help indicate troop positions or alert others of a nearby threat without the use of radios.

Mental Health

In psychology, a 'flare' can refer to sudden outbursts of emotions or behaviors, especially relating to conditions like ADHD or anxiety.
Understanding emotional flares can lead to better coping strategies and improved communication in relationships.

Translations

Translations of the word "flare" in other languages:

🇵🇹 clarão

🇮🇳 चमक

🇩🇪 Lichtblitz

🇮🇩 sinar

🇺🇦 спалах

🇵🇱 błysk

🇯🇵 閃光 (せんこう)

🇫🇷 éclat

🇪🇸 destello

🇹🇷 ışık

🇰🇷 섬광

🇸🇦 وميض

🇨🇿 záblesk

🇸🇰 záblesk

🇨🇳 闪光 (shǎnguāng)

🇸🇮 blisk

🇮🇸 ljósglampi

🇰🇿 жарқыл

🇬🇪 ელვა

🇦🇿 işıq

🇲🇽 destello

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,105, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
12102 despatched
12103 truce
12104 weave
12105 flare
12106 disrupted
12107 appraised
12108 lobbying
...