backfire

Word parts

back + fire

Pronunciation

verb

• IPA ^(key): /bækˈfaɪə(r)/ or /ˈbækfaɪə(r)/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

noun

• IPA ^(key): /ˈbækfaɪə(r)/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form backfire

Third-person singular backfires

Past tense backfired

Past participle backfired

Present participle backfiring

1. If an engine backfires, it experiences a premature ignition of fuel or exhaust gases, making a popping sound.
2. If something backfires, it failed in a manner that brings an opposite and undesirable effect to what was intend.

   His attempt to make money by importing luxury cars backfired horribly when fuel prices tripled.

Noun

Singular backfire

Plural backfires

1. A backfire is a premature explosion in the cylinder of a gas or oil engine during the exhaust or the compression stroke, tending to drive the piston in the wrong direction.
2. A backfire is an explosion in the exhaust passages of an internal combustion engine.