wildfire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wildfire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly, often in a forest or grassland, or metaphorically to describe something that spreads quickly and uncontrollably, such as rumors or trends. Example: "The news of the celebrity's scandal spread like wildfire across social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A photo of Robert Mugabe falling down the stairs has spread like wildfire online after the 90-year-old Zimbabwe president took a tumble outside Harare airport, where he had been speaking to supporters.

The Guardian

As expected, California also saw an intense wildfire season in 2014, blowing well through its firefighting budget.

The Guardian

Open for breakfast and lunch, you can sit outside beneath the grape-vine framed awnings and watch life in this picturesque town go by (autumn is highly recommended for wildfire leaf colour), or dine inside the pantry among rows of handmade preserves and local wines and soak up the kitchen's hearty aromas.

The Guardian - Travel

And in Idaho, firefighters made progress against the state's largest wildfire, which had burned 101 square miles on the Idaho side of the Snake River near the Oregon and Washington border.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, crews were anticipating the possibility of more lightning strikes while battling a lightning-sparked wildfire in Mendocino County about 200 miles south-west of the Klamath blazes.

The Guardian

These images have spread across the internet like wildfire; partly because this election is legitimately the dullest thing in all of history, but mainly because there's a tiny element of truth to them.

The Guardian

Related: Beleaguered at home, Turkey loses friends abroad as Isis threat grows After years of such aggressive rhetoric from Erdoğan, particularly following the protests that erupted in central Istanbul two years ago and spread like wildfire around the country, the president's us-and-them narrative may be taking its toll.

The Guardian

Tahera Ahmad's allegations of discrimination on a United Airlines flight over the weekend spread like wildfire.

The Guardian

Myall Creek was also instrumental for killers of blacks – a lesson that spread across the continent like a Mallee wildfire: cover your tracks by properly disposing of the bodies; leave no witnesses.

The Guardian

Three trapped firefighters had to deploy their personal fire shelters as a rapid wind shift sent a northern California wildfire burning over their location Monday, authorities said.

The Guardian

No one in the armed forces has been executed since 1961.A wildfire covering 300 square miles (780 sq km) in California advanced on Yosemite National Park.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wildfire" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly conveys the rapid and uncontrolled spread of something, such as information or trends.

Common error

Avoid using "wildfire" loosely for situations that don't genuinely involve rapid and widespread dissemination. Use more specific descriptors for gradual or contained phenomena.

Linguistic Context

"Wildfire" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a rapidly spreading fire in wildland areas. Ludwig shows its use in describing actual fires and metaphorically, indicating something spreading quickly and uncontrollably.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wildfire" is a commonly used noun that describes a rapidly spreading fire, particularly in wildland areas. According to Ludwig, it is often used both literally and metaphorically to convey the idea of something spreading quickly and uncontrollably. It is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the context when using it metaphorically. High-quality sources such as The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ the term. Overall, "wildfire" is a versatile and widely understood term for describing destructive fires and rapid spread.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forest fire

Focuses specifically on fires occurring in forested areas.

brush fire

Highlights fires involving dry brush and low-lying vegetation.

bushfire

Commonly used in Australia to refer to wildfires in the bushland.

out-of-control fire

Emphasizes the unmanaged and rapidly spreading nature of the fire.

raging fire

Conveys the intensity and uncontrolled nature of the fire.

inferno

Describes a large, destructive fire, often with strong emotional impact.

conflagration

A more formal term for a large and destructive fire.

uncontrolled burn

Highlights the lack of management and containment of the fire.

rapidly spreading fire

Focuses on the speed at which the fire is expanding.

devastating fire

Emphasizes the destructive impact and consequences of the fire.

FAQs

How can I use "wildfire" in a sentence?

You can use "wildfire" to describe a large, uncontrolled fire in a natural area, or metaphorically to describe something that spreads rapidly, like a trend or rumor. For example: "The "forest fire" consumed thousands of acres" or "The news spread like "wildfire"".

What are some synonyms for "wildfire"?

Synonyms for "wildfire" include "forest fire", "brush fire", "bushfire", "inferno", and "conflagration". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What causes wildfires?

Wildfires can be caused by natural events like lightning strikes, or by human activities such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and arson. Dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the spread of "out-of-control fire".

How does climate change affect wildfires?

Climate change contributes to longer and more intense "wildfire" seasons by creating hotter, drier conditions, increasing the amount of dry vegetation that serves as fuel, and altering weather patterns to favor fire ignition and spread.