flare Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a shape that spreads outward
   flair.
   
   • the skirt had a wide flare
2. noun a sudden burst of flame
   
3. noun a burst of light used to communicate or illuminate
   flash.
   
4. noun reddening of the skin spreading outward from a focus of infection or irritation
   
5. noun a sudden recurrence or worsening of symptoms
   
   • a colitis flare
   • infection can cause a lupus flare
6. noun a sudden eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun's surface; associated with sunspots and radio interference
   solar flare.
   
7. noun am unwanted reflection in an optical system (or the fogging of an image that is caused by such a reflection)
   
8. noun a sudden outburst of emotion
   
   • she felt a flare of delight
   • she could not control her flare of rage
9. noun a device that produces a bright light for warning or illumination or identification
   
10. noun a short forward pass to a back who is running toward the sidelines
    flare pass.
    
    • he threw a flare to the fullback who was tackled for a loss
11. noun (baseball) a fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield
    
12. verb burn brightly
    blaze up; flame up; burn up.
    
    • Every star seemed to flare with new intensity
13. verb become flared and widen, usually at one end
    flare out.
    
    • The bellbottom pants flare out
14. verb shine with a sudden light
    flame.
    
    • The night sky flared with the massive bombardment
15. verb erupt or intensify suddenly
    break open; erupt; flare up; burst out; irrupt.
    
    • Unrest erupted in the country
    • Tempers flared at the meeting
    • The crowd irrupted into a burst of patriotism

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