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Definition of Backfire in English :

Define Backfire in English

Backfire meaning in English

Meaning of Backfire in English

Pronunciation of Backfire in English

Backfire pronunciation in English

Pronounce Backfire in English

Backfire

see synonyms of backfire

Noun

1. backfire, blowback

the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired

2. backfire

a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine

3. backfire

a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path

4. backfire, boomerang

a miscalculation that recoils on its maker

Verb

5. backfire, backlash, recoil

come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect

Example Sentences:
'Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble'

6. backfire

emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire

Example Sentences:
'My old car backfires all the time'

7. backfire

set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Backfire

see synonyms of backfire
verb (intransitive)
1. 
(of an internal-combustion engine) to emit a loud noise as a result of an explosion in the inlet manifold or exhaust system
2. 
(of an endeavour, plan, etc) to have an unwanted effect on its perpetrator
his plans backfired on him
3. 
to start a controlled fire in order to halt an advancing forest or prairie fire by creating a barren area
noun
4. (in an internal-combustion engine)
a. 
an explosion of unburnt gases in the exhaust system
b. 
a premature explosion in a cylinder or inlet manifold
5. 
a controlled fire started to create a barren area that will halt an advancing forest or prairie fire

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Backfire

see synonyms of backfire
noun
1.  US
a fire started to stop an advancing prairie fire or forest fire by creating a burned area in its path
2. 
a premature ignition of fuel or an explosion of unburned exhaust gases in an internal-combustion engine, sometimes preventing the completion of the compression stroke and reversing the direction of the piston
3. 
an explosive force toward the breech, rather than through the muzzle, of a firearm
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈbackˌfired or ˈbackˌfiring
4.  US
to use or set a backfire
5. 
to explode as a backfire
6. 
to have an unexpected and unwelcome result; go awry; boomerang
his plan backfired

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Backfire

see synonyms of backfire
n.
1. An explosion of prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in an internal-combustion engine.
2. The backward escape of gases or cartridge fragments when a gun is fired.
3. A fire started in the path of an oncoming fire in order to deprive it of fuel and thereby control or extinguish it.
intr.v. back·fired, back·fir·ing, back·fires
1. To explode in the manner of or make the sound of a backfire.
2. To start or use a backfire in extinguishing or controlling a forest fire.
3. To produce an unexpected, undesired result.

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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