devoid of fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks fire or is completely without fire, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The landscape was devoid of fire after the controlled burn, leaving behind a stark, charred expanse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is a study of a wan young woman in a white shirtwaist, with delicate features, a high forehead, dark hair simply parted, prominent cheekbones, and faraway eyes devoid of fire.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Several minutes into the song, Newsom delivers a brief tutorial on celestial terminology: "The meteorite is the source of light, and the meteor's just what we see; and the meteoroid is a stone that's devoid of the fire that propelled it to thee".

The New Yorker

For years, the river was so contaminated by oil and other industrial pollutants that it was nearly devoid of fish, and its water caught fire regularly.

HuffPost

Wireless network surveillance applications are characterized by a wide variety of scene content, ranging from complex motion sequences, e.g., crowd or traffic monitoring, to surveillance of scenes mostly devoid of significant motion, e.g., fire and home monitoring.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In contrast, a passive integrator with a fixed firing threshold (as modeled with an integrate-and-fire model neuron, devoid of subthreshold oscillations, for example) would not have such a memory, and would fire solely on the basis of synaptic events that occurred on a time scale of one membrane time constant.

European Journal of Neuroscience

This chaotic stew of fire, blood, mud and explosives is so devoid of terror and suspense that any metaphorical analysis is rendered moot.

The New York Times

The crew left the village of Yarnell, where the fire started, and traveled parallel to the flames, building a fire line — a type of trench devoid of any vegetation or other fuel — as a way to contain the blaze.

The New York Times

The hillside east of the 66-acre camp was devoid of vegetation, and boulders there remained charred from the fires of October.

The New York Times

Pakistani tribesmen, devoid of the technology or any understanding of it, could neither fire at the object nor throw rocks at it.

Huffington Post

Hopefully a fit and firing Nic Naitanui helps, as the Eagles seem devoid of flair without the high-flying Fijian at his peak.

The Guardian - Sport

Answering the question "Are You Firing the Right People?" is not a question devoid of sensitivity quite the contrary.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of fire" to create a strong visual image, especially when emphasizing the absence of warmth, passion, or energy in a setting or character.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of fire" in simple, literal situations where 'without fire' would suffice. This phrase is more impactful in metaphorical or descriptive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of fire" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lack of fire, either literally or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of fire" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the absence of fire, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in English writing. It's relatively rare, but it is useful in news, academic and scientific contexts for creating vivid imagery. To avoid misusing the phrase, ensure it adds impact and is not merely a verbose substitute for "without fire". While alternatives exist, the choice depends on the specific tone and descriptive needs of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lacking fire

Directly states the absence of fire.

Without fire

Simple and straightforward way to indicate no fire is present.

Absent of fire

Formally indicates that fire is not present.

Bereft of fire

Emphasizes a sense of loss or deprivation of fire.

Empty of fire

Highlights the emptiness where fire should be.

Devoid of heat

Focuses on the absence of heat, which is a consequence of fire.

Extinguished

Describes something where fire was present but has been put out.

Fireless

A concise way of saying without fire.

Unlit

Describes a situation where fire is not ignited or burning.

Cold

Indicates the lack of warmth associated with fire.

FAQs

How can I use "devoid of fire" in a sentence?

The phrase "devoid of fire" is used to describe something lacking literal or metaphorical fire. For example, 'The landscape was "devoid of fire" after the rainstorm', or 'His speech was "devoid of fire" and passion'.

What are some alternatives to "devoid of fire"?

Alternatives include "lacking fire", "without fire", or "bereft of fire", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "devoid of fire" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize a significant absence of literal fire or the metaphorical qualities associated with fire, such as passion, energy, or warmth. It adds a dramatic or descriptive element to your writing.

What is the difference between "devoid of fire" and "without fire"?

"Devoid of fire" carries a stronger connotation of complete absence and often implies a sense of loss or emptiness, whereas "without fire" is a more neutral and straightforward statement of fact.