French Conversation · Level 133
30 words
French word
embraser
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃bʁaze/
Meaning
- verbset ablaze
Example
Le feu a embrasé la maison.
The fire set the house ablaze.
More examples
Son tweet a embrasé les réseaux sociaux.
His tweet set social media ablaze.
Core concept
A sudden surge of fire that engulfs something, or of feeling that overwhelms the mind.
Common phrases
embraser les réseaux sociaux
set social media ablaze
embraser un débat
heat up a debate
Similar words
brûler: Burn something with fire until it turns to ash or charcoal.
allumer: Light a fire or electrical device to produce flame or illumination.
mettre le feu à: Set fire to an object or building so that it burns.
prendre feu: Start burning suddenly, usually after catching fire.
Definition in French
Allumer ou enflammer fortement quelque chose, au sens propre (mettre en flammes) ou au sens figuré (provoquer une passion).
Word origin
The verb comes from Old French enbrasier, built with en- and brasier, and its sense extended from setting things alight to intensifying emotions.
Usage tips
- In figurative use, embraser can take passions, hearts, spirits, or a debate and means to inflame them, not merely to light them.