ember
Americannoun
-
a small live piece of coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire.
-
embers, the smoldering remains of a fire.
noun
-
a glowing or smouldering piece of coal or wood, as in a dying fire
-
the fading remains of a past emotion
the embers of his love
Etymology
Origin of ember
before 1000; Middle English eemer, emeri, Old English ǣmerge, ǣmyrie (cognate with Old Norse eimyrja, Old High German eimuria ), equivalent to ǣm- (cognate with Old Norse eimr steam) + -erge, -yrie, akin to Old English ys ( e ) le ember, Latin ūrere to burn
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A fireplace sat in one corner, the wood burned down to embers, and on the opposite side of the room was an elegant wood desk.
From Literature
The roof, where burning embers can accumulate, is made of fire-resistant material.
From Los Angeles Times
“We are blowing on the embers of hope.”
Swirling dust, burning trees, thick smoke and drifting embers heighten the danger, while firsthand accounts layered emotional tension.
From Los Angeles Times
Many residents have told The Times harrowing stories of narrowly escaping smoke-filled homes and streets filled with raining embers.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
