What is the meaning of backfire?

noun

  • The backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired.
  • A loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine.
  • A fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path.
  • A miscalculation that recoils on its maker.

verb

  • Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect.
    • usage: "Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble"
  • Emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire.
    • usage: "My old car backfires all the time"
  • Set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire. .
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APAWordNet. (2010). backfire. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/backfire/definitions/1188863
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "backfire" http://smartdefine.org/backfire/definitions/1188863 (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, backfire, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/backfire/definitions/1188863>.
MLAWordNet. "backfire" 23 October 2010. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/backfire/definitions/1188863>