📖 F — The English dictionary · page 19

fink — Everyday, meaning 1: (US, slang, old-fashioned) A fink is a person who tells on others to the police or people in charge; a snitch or tattletale.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (US, slang) A fink is an unpleasant, untrustworthy person.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (US, slang) To fink on someone is to tell on them.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (old, US) A fink was also a strike-breaker who worked when others were on strike.↗ Example: «Don't be a fink and tell the teacher!»↗ · He finked on his friends to the police.↗ · In the old film, the gangster called him a rat fink.↗ · Nobody trusted him after he was a fink.↗ · «You little fink!» shouted her brother.↗ · Telling an adult about bullying is right, not being a fink.↗

finn — Everyday, meaning 1: A Finn is a person from Finland, a country in northern Europe.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Finn is a boy's first name, popular in Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill) is a giant hero of Irish legends; Huckleberry Finn is a famous boy in an American novel.↗ Example: Finn is my best friend in class.↗ · The Finns love saunas.↗ · Finn scored three goals on Saturday.↗ · A Finn won the gold medal in skiing.↗ · In the legend, Finn McCool was a giant who built a path across the sea.↗ · Huckleberry Finn floated down the river on a raft.↗ · Finn has 12 marbles and gives 4 to Ava.↗ · Fionn and the Fianna-Finn marched against them.↗

finnish — Everyday, meaning 1: Finnish means from or belonging to Finland, a country in northern Europe.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Finnish is the main language of Finland; it is not related to English or Swedish but belongs to the Uralic family with Estonian and Hungarian.↗ Example: Finnish people love saunas.↗ · She speaks Finnish and English.↗ · Finnish has very long words with many endings.↗ · We read about Finnish schools in class.↗ · Moomins come from Finnish stories by Tove Jansson.↗ · The Finnish flag is a blue cross on white.↗

fiord — Early Modern English, meaning 1: a long narrow inlet of the sea between high cliffs.↗ Example: The following spring Andras happened to be driving his reindeer along a great fiord to the west of Vadso.↗ (The Orange Fairy Book) · Then he died; and Andras sailed in his boat away across the fiord and found the dog and boy.↗ (The Orange Fairy Book) · 'Promise that you will give me an honourable burial, and when my body is laid in the grave go in my boat across the fiord, and take whatever you find in my house which belongs to me.↗ (The Orange Fairy Book)

fir — Everyday, meaning 1: A tall evergreen tree with flat needles and upright cones; many are used as Christmas trees.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The wood of this tree.↗ Example: We decorated a fir tree for Christmas.↗ · Fir trees stay green all winter.↗ · The forest smelled of fir and pine.↗ · Squirrels nibbled seeds from the fir cones.↗ · The cabin was built from fir wood.↗ · A fir's needles are soft and flat.↗ · They had the scent of fir-trees.↗ · Wherein the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.↗ (Writings PSA.104.17, JPS 1917)↗

fire — Everyday, meaning 1: The flames, heat and light made when something burns.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A burning that destroys something.↗ e.g. "a house fire", "a forest fire".↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A small fire made on purpose for warmth or cooking.↗ e.g. "a campfire".↗ Everyday, meaning 4: As a verb, to shoot a gun or launch something.↗ e.g. "fire a rocket".↗ Everyday, meaning 5: As a verb, to tell someone they no longer have their job.↗ Example: We sat by the fire to keep warm.↗ · Fire needs oxygen to burn.↗ · If there is a fire, get out and stay out.↗ · The forest fire burned for days.↗ · Never play with matches; they can start a fire.↗ · The fire alarm rang during the fire drill.↗ · If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll.↗ · The firefighters put out the fire with water.↗ · Old man, take away that fire!”↗ · Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.'↗ (Torah EXO.35.3, JPS 1917)↗ · For the LORD thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.↗ (Torah DEU.4.24, JPS 1917)↗ · And the flesh and the skin were burnt with fire without the camp.↗ (Torah LEV.9.11, JPS 1917)↗ · How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire?↗ (Writings PSA.79.5, JPS 1917)↗ · How long shall Thy wrath burn like fire?↗ (Writings PSA.89.47, JPS 1917)↗ · At the brightness before Him coals of fire flamed forth.↗ (Prophets 2SA.22.13, JPS 1917)↗

firearm — Everyday, meaning 1: A gun that a person can carry, such as a pistol, rifle or shotgun.↗ Example: Police said the man was carrying a firearm.↗ · You need a licence to own a firearm.↗ · Firearms officers are specially trained police.↗ · If you ever see a firearm, don't touch it; tell an adult.↗ · Australia changed its firearms laws after a terrible shooting in 1996.↗ · Farmers may keep a firearm to protect animals.↗ · You don't carry firearms, then, I presume?"↗

fireball — Everyday, meaning 1: A ball of fire, such as one made by an explosion.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A very bright meteor (shooting star) that burns up in the sky.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A lively, energetic person (informal).↗ Example: We saw a fireball streak across the night sky.↗ · The gas explosion made a huge fireball.↗ · The wizard threw a fireball at the dragon.↗ · Fireballs are meteors that burn very brightly.↗ · My little cousin is a real fireball of energy.↗ · Fireworks can make fireballs, so only adults should light them.↗ · Nearer and nearer gleamed fireballs of eyes, and the light of its hundred feet began to throw reflections in the still waters of the lake.↗

firebox — Everyday, meaning 1: The part of a steam engine, boiler or stove where the fire burns.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (US, old) A box on a street with an alarm to call firefighters.↗ Example: The fireman shovelled coal into the firebox.↗ · The firebox glowed red and hot.↗ · Steam engines boil water using heat from the firebox.↗ · Toad helped stoke the engine's firebox as the train raced through the night.↗ · Never touch the firebox of a wood stove; it is very hot.↗ · The old engine's firebox had to be cleaned of ash every day.↗

firebrand — Everyday, meaning 1: A firebrand is a piece of burning wood, used as a torch.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A firebrand is a person full of fiery ideas who stirs up excitement or trouble.↗ Example: The men carried firebrands to light the cave.↗ · She was a firebrand who led the protest.↗ · The poet was a firebrand of new ideas.↗ · Throw the firebrand into the pile of straw.↗ · As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death; (Writings PRO.26.18, JPS 1917)↗ · Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that gird yourselves with firebrands, begone in the flame of your fire, and among the brands that ye have kindled.↗ (Prophets ISA.50.11, JPS 1917)↗ · and say unto him: Keep calm, and be quiet; fear not, neither let thy heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and of the son of Remaliah.↗ (Prophets ISA.7.4, JPS 1917)↗

firecracker — Everyday, meaning 1: A firecracker is a small firework that explodes with a loud bang, often in a string of many.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) A firecracker is a lively, energetic, quick-tempered person.↗ Example: The firecrackers went bang-bang-bang at the New Year parade.↗ · Dad lit the firecracker and stepped back.↗ · Never hold a firecracker in your hand.↗ · The dog hid under the bed when the firecrackers started.↗ · Our new teacher is a real firecracker, full of energy.↗ · Red paper from firecrackers covered the street.↗

firefighter — Everyday, meaning 1: A firefighter is a person whose job is to put out fires and rescue people and animals.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Firefighters also help in car crashes, floods and other emergencies.↗ Example: The firefighters put out the fire in ten minutes.↗ · A firefighter climbed the ladder to rescue the cat.↗ · Firefighters wear heavy coats and helmets.↗ · Our class visited the fire station to meet the firefighters.↗ · She wants to be a firefighter when she grows up.↗ · The firefighters sprayed water on the burning barn.↗ · A firefighter showed us how to test a smoke alarm.↗ · Many firefighters in the countryside are volunteers.↗

firefly — Everyday, meaning 1: A small flying beetle whose tail glows with a soft light at night.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Another name some people use for a glow-worm or any insect that makes its own light.↗ Example: We watched fireflies blinking over the meadow on a warm summer night.↗ · A firefly makes light without getting hot.↗ · Fireflies flash in patterns to find a partner.↗ · My little brother caught a firefly in his hands and then let it go.↗ · Fireflies are not flies at all; they are beetles.↗ · In the story, the lost girl followed the fireflies home.↗ · If you put fireflies in a jar, make holes in the lid and free them soon.↗ · Great suns spurted fire about, splendid fireflies flew into the blue air, and everything was reflected in the clear, calm sea beneath.↗

firelight — Everyday, meaning 1: The light given off by a fire, especially a warm glow in a room.↗ Example: We sat talking in the firelight.↗ · The firelight made her shadow dance on the ceiling.↗ · By firelight she read the old book.↗ · The knife glittered in the firelight.↗

fireman — Everyday, meaning 1: A fireman is a person whose job is to put out fires and rescue people; today the usual word is firefighter, because both men and women do this job.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old) A fireman was also a worker who kept the fire burning in a steam engine or ship's boiler.↗ Example: The fireman rescued a cat from the tree.↗ · Today we say firefighter, because women do the job too.↗ · Fireman Sam is a children's TV show.↗ · A fireman shovelled coal into the steam engine.↗ · The fireman showed us how to check a smoke alarm.↗ · In PE we learned a fireman's lift.↗

fireplace — Everyday, meaning 1: A fireplace is an open space at the bottom of a chimney inside a room, where a fire is lit to heat the room.↗ Example: We sat by the fireplace and read stories.↗ · Stockings hung over the fireplace.↗ · Put the fireguard in front of the fireplace.↗ · The old house had a fireplace in every room.↗ · Never throw rubbish into the fireplace.↗ · Logs crackled in the fireplace.↗ · The cat loves sleeping in front of the fireplace.↗ · A fireplace full of burning logs was painted on the wall opposite the door.↗

fireproof — Everyday, meaning 1: Fireproof means not able to burn or be badly damaged by fire.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To fireproof something is to treat it so that it does not catch fire easily.↗ Example: Firefighters wear special suits that protect them from fire.↗ · Dad keeps important papers in a fireproof box.↗ · Brick is more fireproof than wood.↗ · Oven gloves protect your hands from heat.↗ · They fireproofed the theatre curtains.↗ · Fire doors help stop a fire from spreading.↗ · Nothing is completely fireproof in a very hot fire.↗

fireside — Everyday, meaning 1: The area right next to a fireplace, where people sit to keep warm.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (figurative) Home and family life, cosy and safe.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (adjective) Happening by the fire at home, as in «a fireside chat» or «fireside stories».↗ Example: The cat slept on the rug by the fireside.↗ · Grandpa told us stories at the fireside.↗ · Badger's kitchen had a big, friendly fireside.↗ · After the snowy walk, we warmed our toes by the fireside.↗ · The President gave a fireside chat on the radio.↗ · In winter the family gathered round the fireside to read.↗ · Inside it runs to the fireside.↗

firewood — Everyday, meaning 1: Wood cut into pieces to burn in a fire, a stove or a fireplace.↗ Example: Dad chopped firewood for the stove.↗ · We gathered dry sticks as firewood for the campfire.↗ · The firewood is stacked under the porch to keep it dry.↗ · Wet firewood makes a lot of smoke.↗ · Grandma bought a bundle of firewood at the shop.↗ · At the camp, only use fallen wood as firewood; do not cut living trees.↗ · The pioneers in our history book spent hours collecting firewood.↗ · Well, the firewood was cut up and piled on the sledge.↗

firework — Everyday, meaning 1: A firework is a small device with powder inside that explodes to make bright colours, sparks and loud bangs in the sky.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Fireworks (plural) often means a show of them.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Informally, fireworks can mean an angry argument or something very exciting.↗ Example: We watched the fireworks from the hill.↗ · Only grown-ups should light fireworks.↗ · The fireworks made red, green and gold sparks.↗ · Our dog hides under the bed when there are fireworks.↗ · Never pick up a firework that has not gone off.↗ · There is a big fireworks display on New Year's Eve.↗ · Hold a sparkler at arm's length and wear gloves.↗ · Different chemicals give fireworks their colours.↗ · "I haven't any firearms," said George, "but I have a firework.↗

firm — Everyday, meaning 1: Solid and not soft; hard to press in or move: a firm mattress, firm ground.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Strong and steady: a firm grip, a firm handshake.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Not likely to change; definite: a firm decision, a firm friend.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Strict but fair: a firm teacher.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: As a noun, a firm is a company or business.↗ Example: Hold the rail firmly on the stairs.↗ · Press firmly on the cut to stop the bleeding.↗ · The jelly is firm now, so we can eat it.↗ · Our teacher is firm but fair.↗ · The pears aren't ripe yet; they're still firm.↗ · We stayed on firm ground away from the bog.↗ · My dad works for a law firm.↗ · Pizza is a firm favourite in our house.↗ · The boy stood firm and still.↗ · And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his parable, and said: Though firm be thy dwelling-place, and though thy nest be set in the rock; (Torah NUM.24.21, JPS 1917)↗ · But his bow abode firm, and the arms of his hands were made supple, by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, from thence, from the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel, (Torah GEN.49.24, JPS 1917)↗ · Strengthen ye the weak hands, and make firm the tottering knees.↗ (Prophets ISA.35.3, JPS 1917)↗ · His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, firm as the nether millstone.↗ (Writings JOB.41.16, JPS 1917)↗ · When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might, (Writings PRO.8.28, JPS 1917)↗