What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Flaming vs Smouldering - What's the difference?

flaming | smouldering | Related terms |

Flaming is a related term of smouldering.


As verbs the difference between flaming and smouldering

is that flaming is while smouldering is .

As nouns the difference between flaming and smouldering

is that flaming is sterilization by holding an object in a hot flame while smouldering is (sometimes|figurative) the act by which something smoulders; residual heat.

As an adjective flaming

is on fire with visible flames.

flaming

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • On fire with visible flames.
    • The flaming debris kept the firefighter well back, and the sparks threatened the neighborhood.
  • (colloquial) Extremely obvious; visibly evident. Typically of a homosexual male.
    • To call him a flaming homosexual would be an understatement, but I think he acts that way just to see people react.
  • (British, colloquial) Damned, bloody.
    • I wasted three hours in that flaming traffic jam!

    Verb

    (head)

    • See also

    * flame war * flame bait

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • sterilization by holding an object in a hot flame
  • (internet slang) vitriolic criticism
    • You can expect a flaming if you post irrelevant spam to a newsgroup.
    ----

    smouldering

    English

    Alternative forms

    * smoldering US

    Verb

    (head)
  • * Tennyson
    • Some evil chance / Will make the smouldering scandal break and blaze.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (sometimes, figurative) The act by which something smoulders; residual heat.
    • the smoulderings of the Thirty Years War