ablaze

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈblāz 

1

: being on fire

2

: radiant with light or emotion

… his face all ablaze with excitement.

—Bram Stoker

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

In the fourth inning, two protesters came on the field, spread the flag on the left-center field grass and doused it with lighter fluid, attempting to set it ablaze. —Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

In a statement, Rhum Barbancourt, one of the country’s leading companies, said its sugarcane fields had been set ablaze. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

To work off a meal (and build your appetite back up for the next one), take on the Craggy Pinnacle, a hike popular for the amazing views from its summit, especially when the mountains are ablaze with turning leaves in fall. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

Usman Rumirgo, a local ward official, said the assailants set several houses ablaze before leaving the area. —ABC News, 22 Apr. 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
• ballets
• berets

Kids Definition

ablaze

adjective

ə-ˈblāz 

1

: being on fire

2

: radiant with light or bright color