/ fleə(r); NAmE fler/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to burn brightly, but usually for only a short time or not steadily :
The match flared and went out.
The fire flared into life.
( figurative )
Colour flared in her cheeks.
2.
[ v ] flare (up) ( especially of anger and violence ) to suddenly start or become much stronger
SYN erupt :
Violence flared when the police moved in.
Tempers flared towards the end of the meeting.
—related noun flare-up (1)
3.
to say sth in an angry and aggressive way :
[ v speech ]
'You should have told me!' she flared at him.
[also v ]
4.
[ v ] ( of clothes ) to become wider towards the bottom :
The sleeves are tight to the elbow, then flare out.
5.
if a person or an animal flares their nostrils (= the openings at the end of the nose) , or if their nostrils flare , they become wider, especially as a sign of anger :
[ v ]
The horse backed away, its nostrils flaring with fear.
[also vn ]
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- flare up
—related noun flare-up (2)
■ noun
1.
[ usually sing. ] a bright but unsteady light or flame that does not last long :
The flare of the match lit up his face.
2.
a device that produces a bright flame, used especially as a signal; a flame produced in this way :
The ship sent up distress flares to attract the attention of the coastguard.
3.
a shape that becomes gradually wider :
a skirt with a slight flare
4.
flares ( BrE also ˌflared ˈtrousers ) [ pl. ] ( informal ) trousers / pants that become very wide at the bottom of the legs :
a pair of flares
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense spread out one's hair ): of unknown origin. Current senses date from the 17th cent.