embers

Meanings

1. 1nounusually plural

   Small glowing pieces of coal or wood that remain after a fire has burned down and still give off heat.

   Grammar: Usually plural: glowing embers.

   Patterns

   • the embers of something
   • embers from something

   We sat around the glowing embers of the campfire.

   She poked the embers and added a log.

   Sparks from the embers drifted up into the dark.

2. 2nounusually pluralfigurativeliterary

   The last weak remains of a feeling, conflict or activity that could become strong again.

   Grammar: Figurative; usually followed by of: the embers of hope.

   Patterns

   • the embers of something
   • fan the embers of something

   Their speech fanned the embers of an old argument.

   A few embers of hope remained in the town.

   He felt the embers of his old ambition glow again.

Word forms

Common combinations

glowing embers

The glowing embers kept the cabin warm until morning.

dying embers

We watched the dying embers fade.

smoldering embers

Smoldering embers can restart a fire.

fan the embers

He tried to fan the embers of their friendship.

embers of hope

There were still embers of hope in the camp.

Synonyms and how they differ

cinders

Cinders are burnt bits that have stopped glowing, while embers are still hot and glowing.

ashes

Ashes is the powder left after burning is complete, so it comes after the embers stage.

sparks

Sparks are short bright flashes that fly off, whereas embers stay in the fire and glow steadily.

Opposites

Word family

ember noun

one glowing piece left from a fire

smolder verb

to burn slowly with smoke but no flame

cinder noun

a small piece of partly burned coal or wood

Commonly confused: embers or members?

Practice

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