catch fire

phrase

Synonyms of catch firenext
1
: to become ignited
2
: to become fired with enthusiasm
3
: to increase greatly in scope, popularity, interest, or effectiveness
The idea failed to catch fire.

Examples of catch fire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Around 200 firefighters and emergency personnel ⁠in the area around Berchtesgaden in ​the southern region of Bavaria were battling ​the flames after the building, known as the Kehlsteinhaus, caught fire on Friday, police said. — Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026 Around 200 firefighters and emergency personnel in the area around Berchtesgaden in the southern region of Bavaria were battling the flames after the building, known as the Kehlsteinhaus, caught fire on Friday, police said. — CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 On Tuesday morning, three people were killed and four injured when two vehicles caught fire in a Russian attack on the Kyiv-Odesa highway, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 To ensure nothing would catch fire when used inside a residence, Viridi’s system had to pass a test where the battery was forced to fail while a cheesecloth covered the container. — Jennifer McDermott, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch fire

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of catch fire was in the 15th century

Rhymes for catch fire

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Browse Nearby Words

catcher pouch
catch fire
catchfly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catch fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20fire. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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