ablaze

adjective

ə-ˈblāz 

1

: being on fire

—not used before a noun

The house was ablaze.

2

a

: radiant with light or emotion

—not used before a noun

The sky was ablaze with color.

Her eyes were ablaze with anger.

b

: being in a state of great excitement or energy

—not used before a noun

Social media was ablaze with the news.

ablaze adverb

Lightning set the forest ablaze.

The news set the Internet ablaze.

Synonyms of ablaze

• burning
• blazing
• flaming
• aflame
• flickering

Examples of ablaze in a Sentence

the entire block was ablaze by the time firefighters arrived

that night the ballroom, ablaze with light, looked very different from the curtained room it usually was by day

Recent Examples on the Web

The headquarters of the National Democratic Party was set ablaze. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Paris — Students fought running battles with police and several schools were ablaze Friday as a new day of violence gripped France with no end in sight to protests that have rocked the country. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

The titular musical is a recounting of the 9/11 terror attacks, with original music and cardboard Twin Towers ablaze. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

All the while, social media was ablaze with rumors about the assault, including Ezukanma’s name. — Mac Engel september 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 1 + blaze entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ablaze

• set something afire/aflame/ablaze

Rhymes for ablaze

• airways
• allays
• always
• amaze
• anglaise
• appraise
• archways
• arrays
• ashtrays
• assays
• atpase
• ballets

Kids Definition

ablaze

adjective

ə-ˈblāz 

1

: being on fire

2

: radiant with light or bright color