- flare
- noun1》 a sudden brief burst of flame or light.2》 a device producing a very bright flame as a signal or marker.3》 a sudden burst of intense emotion.4》 Photography extraneous illumination on film caused by internal reflection in the camera.5》 a gradual widening towards the hem of a garment.↘(flares) trousers of which the legs widen from the knees down.6》 an upward and outward curve of a ship's bows.verb1》 burn, shine, or be revealed with a sudden intensity.2》 (usu. flare up) suddenly become intense, angry, or violent.3》 gradually become wider at one end.↘(of the nostrils) dilate.Derivativesflared adjectiveOriginC16 (in the sense 'spread out one's hair'): of unknown origin.UsageDo not confuse flare with flair: flare means ‘burn’ or ‘gradually become wider’, whereas flair means ‘a natural ability or talent’. Trousers may be flared, not flaired.
English new terms dictionary. 2014.