Definition of Catch fire

1. Verb. Start to burn or burst into flames. "The oily rags combusted spontaneously"

Exact synonyms: Combust, Conflagrate, Erupt, Ignite, Take Fire
Generic synonyms: Change State, Turn
Specialized synonyms: Blow Out, Catch, Light Up
Related verbs: Burn, Combust
Derivative terms: Combustible, Combustive, Ignitable, Ignitible, Ignition

Definition of Catch fire

1. Verb. (idiomatic) Become engulfed with flames. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Catch Fire

catch a cold
catch a crab
catch a falling knife
catch a glimpse
catch a tan
catch a wink
catch air
catch and release
catch as catch can
catch big air
catch breath
catch cold
catch crop
catch dust
catch fence
catch fire
catch flies
catch hell
catch it
catch muscle
catch napping
catch on
catch one's breath
catch one's drift
catch out
catch phrase
catch phrases
catch sight of
catch some Z's
catch some z's

Literary usage of Catch fire

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Young Mill-wright and Miller's Guide: Illustrated by Twenty-eight by Oliver Evans, Cadwallader Evans, Thomas Ellicott (1860)
"PECULIAR ACCIDENTS BY WHICH MILLS ARE SUBJECT TO catch fire. 1. There being many moving parts in a mill, if any piece of timber fall, and lie on any moving ..."

2. The Annual of Scientific Discovery, Or, Year-book of Facts in Science and Art by David Ames Wells, George Bliss, Samuel Kneeland, John Trowbridge, Charles Robert Cross (1869)
"... or fho part least likely to catch fire; while, on the other hand, a building constructed after the Hoe plan will be thoroughly free from danger. ..."

3. The Annual of Scientific Discovery, Or, Year-book of Facts in Science and Art. by David Ames Wells, George Bliss, Samuel Kneeland, John Trowbridge, Wm Ripley Nichols, Charles R Cross (1869)
"... to catch fire; while, on the other hand, a building constructed after the Hoc plan will be thoroughly i'ree from danger. — American Artisan. ..."

4. Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America: During by John Davis (1909)
"... the house was in fear that her curtains might catch fire, and set the dwelling in a blaze. But the houses in Virginia are not very superb. ..."

5. Calvinism: An Address Delivered at St. Andrew's, March 17, 1871 by James Anthony Froude (1871)
"As their numbers multiply they catch fire with a common idea and a common indignation, and ultimately burst out into open war with the lies and iniquities ..."

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