What is flare? Pronunciation and usage in English

flare means . Learn how to pronounce and use flare through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of flare

flareverb

/fleə(r)//fler/
Definition & pronunciation of flare

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "flare." It can be a little tricky because it’s not always pronounced the same way! Here's a breakdown of the two main ways it's pronounced, and how to distinguish them:

1. "Flare" as in a burst of light or color (like a firework):

  • Pronunciation: ˈflɛər (stress on the first syllable)
  • Sounds: “FLAY-er” – Notice the "ay" sound, like in "say" or "day."
  • Emphasis: The most important part is that the first syllable is stressed.

2. "Flare" as in a thin, flexible piece of material (like a scarf or a flame):

  • Pronunciation: ˈfleɪr (stress on the first syllable)
  • Sounds: “FLEER” – The first syllable is pronounced like “leer” (as in “I read”).
  • Emphasis: Again, the first syllable is stressed.

Here's a quick way to tell the difference:

  • If you’re talking about something that radiates light, think "FLAY."
  • If you’re talking about a material, think "FLEER."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you the most accurate guidance, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you hearing or trying to pronounce "flare"? (e.g., talking about a fire, a scarf, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word flare in English

Let's break down how to use the word "flare" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (Meaning to Increase Rapidly)

  • Definition: To suddenly and noticeably increase in intensity, size, or amount.
  • Examples:
    • "The headache flared up suddenly after I stood up too quickly." (The pain increased)
    • "The flames flared wildly in the fireplace." (The fire intensified)
    • "Her anger flared when she heard the news." (Her anger rose quickly)
    • "The economy is starting to flare again after the recession." (It's showing signs of increasing growth)

2. As a Noun (Meaning a Quick Burst of Light or Color)

  • Definition: A sudden, bright flash of light or color.
  • Examples:
    • "The fireworks produced a beautiful flare across the night sky."
    • "He saw a flare from a distant ship."
    • "The reflection of the sun on the water created a vibrant flare."

3. As a Noun (Meaning a Narrow, Expanding Tube or Opening)

  • Definition: A tube or opening that widens or expands. Often used in a technical or industrial context.
  • Examples:
    • "The flare fitting allowed for easy connection of the hoses." (A special connector)
    • "The pipe had a flare to prevent leaks."
    • "The flare vent released excess pressure."

4. As a Noun (Meaning a Sudden, Intense Emotion - Often Negative)

  • Definition: A sudden outburst of emotion, especially a negative one like anger, excitement, or enthusiasm.
  • Examples:
    • "He had a flare of jealousy when he saw her with another man."
    • "She experienced a flare of anxiety before the presentation."
    • “There was a brief flare of defiance in her eyes.”

5. As a Noun (Figurative - Meaning a Hint or Suggestion)

  • Definition: A subtle indication or hint of something.
  • Examples:
    • "There was a flare of hope in his voice." (A small suggestion of optimism)
    • "The news report gave a flare of concern about rising unemployment." (A small hint of worry)

Key Considerations & Synonyms:

  • Intensity: “Flare” often implies something increases quickly and noticeably.
  • Synonyms: The best synonym depends on the specific meaning:
    • Increase rapidly: surge, intensify, escalate, boom, spike, accelerate, grow
    • Flash of light: glimmer, spark, glow, burst
    • Emotion: outburst, surge, wave, fit, blast, reaction
    • Hint: clue, indication, sign, suggestion

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking of using "flare" in? (e.g., describing a fire, a feeling, a technical situation?)

Synonyms for the word flare

Practice with vocabulary flare

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. During the quarterly review, tensions began to ______ between the sales and marketing teams over the budget allocation.
  2. The management hopes that the new incentive program will ______ employee morale across all departments.
  3. Architects often design the base of a skyscraper to slightly ______ outwards, providing both stability and aesthetic appeal.
  4. After a period of remission, the chronic condition may ______ up again, requiring renewed medical attention.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. When the committee discussed the controversial proposal, strong opinions began to ______. a) abate b) recede c) intensify d) flare e) subside

  2. The supervisor instructed the team to ______ with the new workflow, despite the initial challenges. a) precede b) proceed c) concede d) impede

  3. The market experienced a sudden ______ of speculative trading after the news broke. a) downturn b) calm c) flare-up d) surge e) lull

  4. The consultant's presentation aimed to ______ interest in sustainable business practices among the executives. a) peak b) pique c) peek d) peach

  5. To create a more dramatic silhouette, the designer chose fabric that would ______ gently from the hip. a) contract b) expand c) taper d) splay e) flare

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Her anger suddenly exploded during the team meeting when she heard the unfair criticism. Rewrite using a form of "flare":

  2. The company has seen a rapid increase in its operational costs this quarter. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "flare"):

  3. The long-standing disagreement between the two departments became much more intense after the merger announcement. Rewrite using a form of "flare":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. flare
  2. boost
  3. flare
  4. flare

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) intensify, d) flare
  2. b) proceed
  3. c) flare-up, d) surge
  4. b) pique
  5. b) expand, d) splay, e) flare

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Her anger suddenly flared during the team meeting when she heard the unfair criticism.
  2. The company has seen a surge in its operational costs this quarter.
  3. The long-standing disagreement between the two departments flared up much more intensely after the merger announcement.

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