aflame
/əˈfleɪm/adverb, adjective, verb
aflame is spelled A-F-L-A-M-E: 6 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 55,433rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adverb, aflame means “Often preceded by set: in or into flames; so as to be burned by fire” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in aflame?
| Letters | 6: A-F-L-A-M-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 3 million words; the 55,433rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is aflame?
Aflame appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 55,433rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce aflame?
- US /əˈfleɪm/
Aflame has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-aflame.wav, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Naomi_Persephone_Amethyst_(NaomiAmethyst)-aflame.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with aflame?
9 words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as aflame from its last stressed vowel (/eɪm/):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of aflame
- more aflame comparative
- most aflame superlative
- aflames present, singular, he/she/it
- aflaming participle, present
- aflamed participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does aflame mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adverb
- 1
Often preceded by set: in or into flames; so as to be burned by fire.
- 2
In or into a colour like that of a flame.
- 3
In or into a state of great activity or emotion (anger, excitement, etc.).
adjective
- 1
With flames coming from it; burning, flaming, in flames, on fire.
- 2
Having the colour of a flame.
In autumn the trees are aflame with colour.
- 3
In a state of great activity or emotion (anger, excitement, etc.).
She said nothing and simply stared at him, eyes aflame.
verb
- 1
Synonym of inflame (“to set (something) on fire; (figurative) to intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or passion); to intensify or kindle a feeling in (someone)”).
- 2
Chiefly in the present participle: to be in flames or on fire; to blaze, to flare up.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Aflame in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense with flames coming from it:
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does aflame come from?
The adverb is derived from Late Middle English a-flame, from a- (prefix meaning ‘on’ forming adverbial phrases; or denoting being engaged in or occupied by an activity) + flame, flaume, flawme (“flame”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).