fire-breathing

adjective

fire-breath·​ing ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbrē-t͟hiŋ How to pronounce fire-breathing (audio)
1
: breathing or appearing to breathe fire : able to produce a stream of fire from the mouth
fire-breathing dragons
2
: intimidatingly or violently aggressive in speech and manner
a fire-breathing orator
fire-breather
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbrē-t͟hər How to pronounce fire-breathing (audio)
noun

Examples of fire-breathing 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.
And there was someone holding the fire for the fire-breathing. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2026 May isn’t a fire-breathing, big-personality coach. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 Frehley's onstage antics were as notable as Simmons' fire-breathing and Stanley zip-lining over crowds. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 Jace attempts to help, but when he and his own fire-breathing steed are finally settled down at sea, a litany of massive bolts pierce Jace, killing him instantly. — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fire-breathing

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fire-breathing was in 1605

Rhymes for fire-breathing

See All Rhymes for fire-breathing

Browse Nearby Words

firebreak
fire-breathing
firebrick
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fire-breathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fire-breathing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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