bonfire

A large outdoor fire made for a celebration or to send a signal.

• We gathered around the bonfire.
• They lit bonfires to celebrate the victory.
• A bonfire on the hill signalled their arrival.

Similar words: bale

Common phrases: light a bonfire, bonfire night, beach bonfire

An outdoor fire used to burn things people want to get rid of.

• He burned the branches on a bonfire.
• The damp leaves made the bonfire smoke.
• Officials ordered a bonfire of the banned books.

How to use it: a bonfire of something (They made a bonfire of the broken furniture.)

Common phrases: garden bonfire, bonfire of something, build a bonfire

Something compared to a large fire because it is hot, fierce, or destructive.

• His anger became a bonfire of hatred.
• The scandal sparked a bonfire of careers.
• Their argument fed a bonfire of resentment.

How to use it: a bonfire of something (The scandal became a bonfire of ruined reputations.)

Common phrases: bonfire of something, bonfire of anger

To destroy something by burning it, or to set it on fire.

• They decided to bonfire the old papers.
• The gardener bonfired the dry branches.
• Entire stacks of unwanted books were bonfired.

Similar words: burn, burn up, set alight

Common phrases: bonfire something, bonfire old papers

To heat pottery in an outdoor fire so that it becomes hard.

• We bonfire our pottery in the garden.
• The students bonfired their clay bowls.
• These vessels were bonfired rather than heated in a kiln.

Similar words: fire

Common phrases: bonfire pottery, bonfire clay pots