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What is the difference between inflame and inflammable?

inflame | inflammable | Related terms |

Inflammable is a related term of inflame.



In figuratively terms the difference between inflame and inflammable

is that inflame is to kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat while inflammable is easily excited; set off by the slightest excuse; easily enraged or inflamed.

As a verb inflame

is to set on fire; to kindle; to cause to burn, flame, or glow.

As an adjective inflammable is

capable of burning; easily set on fire.

inflame

English

Verb

(inflam)
  • To set on fire; to kindle; to cause to burn, flame, or glow.
  • * Chapman
  • We should have made retreat / By light of the inflamed fleet.
  • (figuratively) To kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat.
  • to inflame desire
  • * Milton
  • more, it seems, inflamed with lust than rage
  • * Dryden
  • But, O inflame and fire our hearts.
  • To provoke to anger or rage; to exasperate; to irritate; to incense; to enrage.
  • * Shakespeare
  • It will inflame you; it will make you mad.
  • *, chapter=12
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=To Edward
  • To put in a state of inflammation; to produce morbid heat, congestion, or swelling, of.
  • to inflame the eyes by overwork
  • To exaggerate; to enlarge upon.
  • * Addison
  • A friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes.
  • *1773 , (Oliver Goldsmith),
  • *:As you say, we passengers are to be taxed to pay all these fineries. I have often seen a good sideboard, or a marble chimney-piece, though not actually put in the bill, inflame a reckoning confoundedly.
  • To grow morbidly hot, congested, or painful; to become angry or incensed.
  • Synonyms

    * provoke * fire * kindle * irritate * exasperate * incense * enrage * anger * excite * arouse

    inflammable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Capable of burning; easily set on fire.
  • (figuratively) Easily excited; set off by the slightest excuse; easily enraged or inflamed.
  • Usage notes

    * (term) can be misinterpreted as an antonym of (flammable) and so taken to have the opposite meaning to that intended. Where such confusion might arise, especially where this may be a safety hazard, one may prefer to use (flammable) or another synonym.

    Synonyms

    * (capable of burning) combustible, flammable * (easily excited) hot-headed, quick to anger

    Antonyms

    * (incapable of burning) fireproof, incombustible, non-flammable * (easily excited) level-headed, unflappable,