looks ablaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks ablaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be on fire or glowing brightly, often used in a metaphorical sense to convey vibrancy or intensity. Example: "The sunset looks ablaze, painting the sky in shades of orange and red."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I know that the corporate world is not exactly the ultimate place to defy conventions, but a subtle mix of genres and trends can set looks ablaze.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The bright yellow and golden leaves of the birch trees mingled with the burnt orange and raging reds of the maples, making the mountainside look ablaze in autumn colors.

Huffington Post

White highlights make his face appear ablaze, his hair stands on end as if electrocuted, and his bottom is red as a baboon's, while his right arm twists so far forward that he looks like a war casualty.

The New Yorker

My sense is that on Friday when the streets went ablaze and civil breakdown became the norm the next day, Egyptian society got its first taste of what its country's post-Mubarak abyss looks like.

Huffington Post

"Then we looked up and the car was ablaze and we all scattered".

The New York Times

A few yards away, at around 3 p.m., a fire broke out when a papier-mâché float made to look like a dragon was set ablaze.

The New York Times

Along with Afif, we sat down in the living room, which looked out onto a small back yard ablaze with goldenrod.

The New Yorker

Last week, the restaurant called Cafeteria was ablaze with a crowd that looked as if it had fallen out of Detour magazine.

The New York Times - Style

I turned the corner onto the High Road, and found a police car ablaze, and teenagers, some who looked as young as 10, ransacking a music shop.

The Guardian

In the three or four minutes in which the club was fully ablaze, thick globs of what looked like melted foam fell from the ceiling and the walls, many survivors said.

The New York Times

Passengers stand outside their vehicles to look at a burning oil tanker set ablaze by a bomb explosion after the road to the Afghan-Pakistan border was temporarily shut, on the outskirts of Landikotal.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks ablaze" to vividly describe scenes that evoke strong visual imagery, such as sunsets or autumn landscapes. This phrase adds a sense of intensity and drama to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "looks ablaze" in contexts that require a literal description of something burning. The phrase is best suited for metaphorical or figurative descriptions where the appearance resembles a fire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks ablaze" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or subject to indicate that it appears to be burning or intensely illuminated. Ludwig AI confirms that this is the correct and usable form in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks ablaze" is a grammatically sound and evocative phrase used to describe something that appears to be burning or intensely illuminated. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. It finds its primary usage in news and media, where vivid descriptions enhance storytelling. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate for contexts where a strong visual impact is desired. To enhance your writing, remember to use this phrase when aiming to convey intensity and visual drama, but avoid using it in contexts that necessitate literal descriptions of fire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be on fire

Directly states the impression of being consumed by flames.

looks to be aflame

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "looks ablaze".

looks like it's burning

Similar to "appears to be on fire" but slightly more colloquial.

appears fiery

Focuses on the visual impression of fire or intense heat.

seems to burn

Emphasizes the act of burning, though not necessarily literal fire.

looks incandescent

Highlights the glowing quality rather than the fire itself.

appears to glow intensely

Emphasizes the bright luminosity.

seems intensely bright

Focuses on the vividness of the light.

appears like a conflagration

Implies a large and destructive fire.

seems to radiate heat

Highlights the sensation of heat emanating from the object.

FAQs

How can I use "looks ablaze" in a sentence?

You can use "looks ablaze" to describe something that appears to be burning or intensely bright, such as "The sunset "appears fiery", painting the sky in shades of orange and red".

What's a more formal alternative to "looks ablaze"?

A more formal alternative would be "appears to be aflame", which conveys the same meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to use "looks ablaze" to describe emotions?

While primarily used for visual descriptions, "looks ablaze" can be metaphorically extended to describe intense emotions, such as "Her eyes "appear incandescent" with passion".

What are some common things described as "looks ablaze"?

Common subjects described as "looks ablaze" include sunsets, landscapes during autumn, or anything that has a vibrant and intense appearance, similar to fire or intense light. One could say that the autumn foliage "seems to burn" with color.