To inflame means to cause something to become more intense, heated, or extreme. When you inflame a situation, you make it worse by adding fuel to the fire, like when an angry comment in an argument inflames tensions between two friends who were already upset with each other.

You can use inflame in a literal way: friction can inflame dry wood. But more commonly, we use inflame to describe making emotions, conflicts, or physical conditions worse.

In medicine, when a part of your body becomes inflamed, it gets red, swollen, and painful. A bee sting can inflame the skin around it. An infection can inflame your throat. This kind of inflammation is your body's way of responding to injury or illness.

The word also describes stirring up emotions or reactions. A controversial speech might inflame public opinion. Harsh criticism can inflame someone's anger. False rumors can inflame fear in a community. When you inflame something, you actively make it stronger, hotter, or more intense by adding energy or provocation to it. The related word inflammatory describes speech or actions that are designed to provoke strong reactions, especially anger.