Firestorm
/ˈfaɪər.stɔːrm/noun
A large, intense fire that creates its own wind system, or a sudden wave of strong criticism or controversy.
Did you know?The word is a straightforward compound, but the phenomenon is terrifyingly real: in extreme conditions, a fire can generate winds strong enough to feed itself and behave like a self-made apocalypse.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
fȳr
“fire, flame”
Old English
OE
storm
“storm, tempest, violent disturbance”
Early Modern English
English
fire storm
“a storm or outburst of fire; later, a conflagration with violent winds”
20th Century
English
firestorm
“a massive fire generating its own strong winds and destructive conditions”
Modern English
English
firestorm
“an intense blaze or a sudden, highly charged public backlash”