—flare /fleər/ aep /fler/
noun (BRIGHTNESS)
F0 [C] a sudden increase in the brightness of a fire:
» There was a sudden flare when she threw the petrol onto the fire.Thesaurus+: ↑Fire and flame , ↑Fire serviceF0 [C] a very bright light or coloured smoke that can be used as a signal, or a device that produces this:
» We set off a flare to help guide our rescuers.Thesaurus+: ↑Specific signs and symbols , ↑Signs, signals and symbolsnoun (CLOTHES)
flares [plural] UKF0 trousers that get wider below the knee
See picture: flares .jpg)
Thesaurus+: ↑Trousers
F0 [C usually singular] the fact of something, especially clothing, becoming wider at one end:
» This skirt has a definite flare.Thesaurus+: ↑Clothing - general wordsverb [I or T] (MAKE WIDER) ↑Verb Endings for flare
► F0 to (cause to) become wider: » The horse's nostrils flared.» He flared his nostrils in rage.» The skirt fits tightly over the hips and flares just below the knees.Thesaurus+: ↑Enlarging and inflating , ↑Becoming biggerverb [I] (ALSO flare up) (GET WORSE) ↑Verb Endings for flare
► F0 When something bad such as violence, pain, or anger flares (up), it suddenly starts or gets much worse: » Violence flared up again last night.» Tempers flared after a three-hour delay at Gatwick Airport yesterday.Thesaurus+: ↑Exploding and eruptingverb [I] (BURN BRIGHTLY) ↑Verb Endings for flare
► F0 to burn brightly either for a short time or not regularly: » The flame above the oil well flared (up) into the dark sky.Thesaurus+: ↑Burning, burnt and on fire