n.
- a sudden brief burst of flame or light.
- a device producing a very bright flame as a signal or marker.
- a sudden burst of intense emotion.
- Photography extraneous illumination on film caused by internal reflection in the camera.
- a gradual widening towards the hem of a garment.
▸
(flares)
trousers of which the legs widen from the knees down.
- an upward and outward curve of a ship's bows.
v.
- burn, shine, or be revealed with a sudden intensity.
-
(usu. flare up)
suddenly become intense, angry, or violent.
- gradually become wider at one end.
▸(of the nostrils) dilate.
Derivative
Usage
Do not confuse flare with flair: flare means ‘burn’ or ‘gradually become wider’, whereas flair means ‘a natural ability or talent’. Trousers may be flared, not flaired.
Etymology
C16 (in the sense ‘spread out one's hair’): of unknown origin.