flare
Translation
to burn brightly, to widen, (noun) a bright light, (noun) a signal rocket
Examples
The fire flared up suddenly.
The fire flared up suddenly.
Her nostrils flared in anger.
Her nostrils flared in anger.
They fired a distress flare.
They fired a distress flare.
The trousers have a slight flare.
The pants have a slight flare.
Grammar Patterns
to flare up to suddenly burn more brightly The fire flared up suddenly.
a flare a device that produces a bright light They fired a distress flare.
Similar Words
Synonyms (verb): blaze, erupt; (noun): signal, light
Etymology
Of unknown origin, perhaps related to Dutch 'flaren' (to blaze).
Memory Tips
Picture a 'flare' of light from a signal flare. The way the light spreads out is similar to how flared pants widen at the bottom.