English dictionary
backfire
nounParts of speech
Definitions
noun
- a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
noun
- a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
noun
- a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
noun
- the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
verb
- set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
verb
- emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
verb
- come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
Example sentences
My old car backfires all the time
Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble
the political movie backlashed on the Democrats