Bonfire

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbÉ’nfaɪə/
• US IPA: /ˈbÉ‘nfaɪɚ/

Alternative forms

• bone-fire obsolete
• burnfire

Origin

From Middle English bonefire, bonefyre, banefyre ("a fire in which bones were burnt"), equivalent to bone + fire.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Cognate with Scots banefire ("bonfire"). More at bone, fire.

Full definition of bonfire

Noun

1. (obsolete) A fire in which bones were burned.
2. A fire to burn unwanted or disreputable items or people: proscribed books, heretics etc.
3. A large, controlled outdoor fire, as a signal or to celebrate something.

Derived terms

• bonfire night

Anagrams

• be in for