conflagration

What does “conflagration” mean?

noun.an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property.

SAT Usage

The term is often found in passages discussing natural disasters, environmental issues, or historical events involving fire. It emphasizes not only the destructive nature of the fire but also its widespread impact, distinguishing it from less intense terms like "fire" or "blaze," which do not convey the same level of severity and devastation.

Common Confusions

Conflagration implies a large and destructive fire that devastates land or property, while wildfire usually suggests an uncontrolled fire in nature that may vary in intensity and scope.

Example Sentences

• It took sixty firefighters to put out the conflagration.

Word Parts: How to Remember “conflagration”

Break “conflagration” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)