Bonfire vs. Campfire — What's the Difference?

A bonfire is a large and controlled outdoor fire, used either for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration.

A campfire is a fire at a campsite that provides light and warmth, and heat for cooking. It can also serve as a beacon, and an insect and predator deterrent.

A large fire built outdoors, as for signaling or in celebration of an event.

An open-air fire in a camp, used for cooking and as a focal point for social activity

A large, controlled outdoor fire lit to celebrate something or as a signal.

An outdoor fire in a camp, used for cooking or warmth

A fire lit outdoors to burn unwanted items; originally (historical), heretics or other offenders, or banned books; now, generally agricultural or garden waste, or rubbish.

A meeting held around such a fire.

(figuratively) Something like a bonfire (sense 1 or 2) in heat, destructiveness, ferocity, etc.

A fire at a campground or on a camping trip, often used for cooking, to provide light and heat, to drive away bugs, and as a focal point for sitting around in the evening and talking, telling stories, and singing.

(obsolete) A fire lit to cremate a dead body; a funeral pyre.

A small outdoor fire for warmth or cooking (as at a camp)

(transitive)

To destroy (something) by, or as if by, burning on a bonfire; (more generally) to burn or set alight.

(ceramics) To fire (pottery) using a bonfire.

(obsolete) To start a bonfire in (a place); to light up (a place) with a bonfire.

To make, or celebrate around, a bonfire.

A large fire built in the open air, as an expression of public joy and exultation, or for amusement.

A large outdoor fire