I. flare 1 /fleə $ fler/ BrE AmE verb
1 . ( also flare up ) [intransitive] to suddenly begin to burn, or to burn more brightly for a short time:
The fire flared up again.
2 . ( also flare up ) [intransitive] if strong feelings flare or flare up, people suddenly become angry, violent etc:
Rioting has flared up in several towns.
Tempers flared during the debate.
3 . ( also flare up ) [intransitive] if a disease or illness flares up, it suddenly becomes worse:
The injury has flared up again, keeping him out of today’s game.
4 . [intransitive and transitive] if a person or animal flares their ↑ nostril s (=the openings at the end of the nose) , or if their nostrils flare, their nostrils become wider because they are angry:
The bull flared its nostrils.
5 . [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a piece of clothing flares out, it becomes wider at one end
flare out
The dress flares out from the hips.
—flared adjective :
flared jeans
II. flare 2 BrE AmE noun
1 . [countable] a piece of equipment that produces a bright flame, or the flame itself, used outdoors as a signal:
The distress flares were spotted by another ship.
2 . [countable usually singular] a sudden bright flame:
There was a brief flare as the match was lit.
3 . flares [plural] trousers that become wide below the knee