Firebug
/ˈfaɪərˌbʌɡ/
nounB2
Definition
A firebug is someone who sets fires on purpose, usually in places where it is not allowed. This word often describes a person who enjoys watching fires or causing damage by fire. It is a negative term because starting fires without control can be very dangerous and harmful.
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See It in Action
A person who starts fires deliberately, often illegally
- •The police arrested a firebug who set fire to several buildings.
- •Firebugs can cause serious damage to homes and forests.
- •Firebugs often act at night to avoid being seen.
A person who is very interested in fire or fire-related things (sometimes used jokingly)
- •He is a firebug who loves learning about fire trucks and fire safety.
- •Some children are firebugs because they are curious about flames and heat.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "firebug" like "person" (A1 word) + "fire," but this person causes fires on purpose, not just being near fire
- ✓Picture a small bug (insect) made of fire, crawling and starting flames everywhere
- ✓It's the feeling of danger and worry when someone plays with fire in a bad way
- ✓Sounds like "FIRE" + "BUG" → imagine a little bug carrying a tiny flame, spreading fire around
- ✓In stories, a firebug might be a character who causes trouble by starting fires secretly
- ✓NOT like "campfire" (safe, controlled fire), firebug causes uncontrolled, dangerous fires
- ✓NOT like "firefighter" (person who stops fires), firebug causes fires to start
- ✓NOT like "smoker" (someone who uses fire safely for cigarettes), firebug uses fire to harm or destroy
Try Other Words
- •Arsonist: a person who deliberately sets fires illegally (Use in formal or legal contexts)
- •Pyromaniac: a person with a strong, uncontrollable desire to set fires (Use when the person has a psychological problem)
- •Firestarter: someone who starts a fire (Use in general or neutral contexts, less negative than firebug)
- •Incendiary: causing fires or explosions (Use as an adjective or noun in technical or military contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "fire" (flame, burning) + "bug" (small insect or person, here used informally)
- •Etymology: English compound word combining "fire" + "bug," where "bug" can mean a person with a strange or bad habit
- •Historical development: Used since early 1900s to describe people who start fires for fun or harm
- •Modern usage: Mostly informal or slang for someone who sets fires illegally or dangerously
- •Interesting fact: "Bug" in English can mean a small insect or a person obsessed with something (e.g., "music bug"), here it means a person with a dangerous habit
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think some people become firebugs, even knowing the risks and dangers?
•How does society try to prevent or stop firebugs from causing harm?
Fill in the blanks
1.The firebug started the fire ___ the building was empty to avoid hurting anyone.
2.When a firebug acts, the damage can ___ very quickly and be hard to control.
3.Unlike a firefighter, a firebug ___ the fire instead of putting it out.
4.People call him a firebug because he has a strange ___ for setting fires.
5.Firebugs often work at night because they want to ___ caught.
6.The police arrested the firebug ___ he was seen near the burning house.
7.If someone is a firebug, they usually do not care about the ___ their actions cause.