Fire vs. Water — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 28, 2023
Fire is a rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light; Water is a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid, essential for most plant and animal life.
Difference Between Fire and Water
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fire and Water are fundamental elements representing contrasting entities in various philosophies and sciences. Fire is a phenomenon characterized by the exothermic reaction of combustion, emitting light, heat, and various reaction products. It represents energy and transformation and can be associated with destruction and renewal. Fire can create and reshape, but its uncontrolled form can be destructive and harmful.
Conversely, water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's streams, lakes, and oceans. Water is essential to life, symbolizing purity, clarity, and life itself. It has the ability to adapt, flow, and overcome obstacles, nourishing and sustaining life. Water’s cohesive and adhesive properties make it a unique substance, indispensable for the survival of living organisms.
In many cultures and philosophies, fire and water are seen as opposites, representing dichotomies such as passion versus calmness, destruction versus nourishment, and transformation versus preservation. While fire symbolizes fervor, change, and consumption, water stands for tranquility, sustenance, and conservation.
These elements, despite their contrasting natures, coexist and interact in the natural world. Fire’s heat causes water to evaporate, and in turn, water can extinguish fire. This interaction symbolizes the balance and cycle found in nature, demonstrating the interdependency and harmony between opposing forces.
To sum up, fire, with its transformative and consuming nature, contrasts sharply with the sustaining and adaptable nature of water, embodying the dynamic balance and interplay of forces in the universe.
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Comparison Chart
State
Combustion Reaction, emits heat & light
Liquid, has cohesive & adhesive properties
Representation
Energy, Transformation, Destruction, Renewal
Life, Purity, Clarity, Nourishment, Preservation
Nature
Hot, Consuming
Cool, Sustaining
Effect on Life
Can sustain or endanger life
Essential for life
Interaction
Can cause water to evaporate
Can extinguish fire
Compare with Definitions
Fire
Fire is a combustion reaction releasing heat and light.
The fire illuminated the dark night, providing warmth to the surrounding area.
Water
Water is a colorless, odorless, tasteless liquid essential for life.
Water quenched his thirst, revitalizing his exhausted body.
Fire
Fire symbolizes transformation and renewal.
The fire within him sparked a desire for personal growth and change.
Water
Water symbolizes clarity, purity, and adaptability.
The water in the lake was so clear, it mirrored the sky above.
Fire
Fire represents energy and passion.
His fire and zeal for the project were infectious, motivating everyone around him.
Water
Water sustains and nourishes living organisms.
The water irrigated the fields, ensuring a bountiful harvest.
Fire
Fire is characterized by its ability to consume and reshape.
The fire molded the metal, changing its form and properties.
Water
Water (chemical formula H2O) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a solvent). It is vital for all known forms of life, even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients.
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Fire is hot because the conversion of the weak double bond in molecular oxygen, O2, to the stronger bonds in the combustion products carbon dioxide and water releases energy (418 kJ per 32 g of O2); the bond energies of the fuel play only a minor role here.
Water
A colourless, transparent, odourless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms
Sodium chloride dissolves in water
Can I have a drink of water?
Fire
A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance
Destruction by fire.
Water
A stretch or area of water, such as a river, sea, or lake
The lawns ran down to the water's edge
Fire
A specific instance of this change that destroys something
A house fire.
Water
Urine
Drinking alcohol will make you need to pass water more often
Fire
A burning fuel
A cooking fire.
Water
The amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus in the womb, especially as discharged in a flow shortly before birth
I think my waters have broken
Fire
Burning intensity of feeling; ardor or enthusiasm
A musical performance that had fire.
Water
The quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem.
Fire
Luminosity or brilliance, as of a cut and polished gemstone.
Water
Capital stock that represents a book value greater than the true assets of a company.
Fire
Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance
The fire of an artistic genius.
Water
Pour or sprinkle water over (a plant or area) in order to encourage plant growth
I went out to water the geraniums
Fire
A severe test; a trial or torment
Went through fire to become a leader.
Water
(of a person's eyes) fill with tears
Rory blinked, his eyes watering
Fire
A fever or bodily inflammation
Tormented by the fire in an infected toe.
Water
Dilute or adulterate (a drink, typically an alcoholic one) with water
Staff at the club had been watering down the drinks
Fire
The discharge of firearms or artillery
Heard the fire of cannon.
Water
Increase (a company's debt, or nominal capital) by the issue of new shares without a corresponding addition to assets.
Fire
The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body.
Water
A clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid, H2O, essential for most plant and animal life and the most widely used of all solvents. Freezing point 0°C (32°F); boiling point 100°C (212°F); specific gravity (4°C) 1.0000; weight per gallon (15°C) 8.338 pounds (3.782 kilograms).
Fire
Discharged bullets or other projectiles
Subjected enemy positions to heavy mortar fire.
Struck by rifle fire.
Water
Any of various forms of water
Waste water.
Fire
Intense, repeated attack or criticism
Answered the fire from her political critics.
Water
Often waters Naturally occurring mineral water, as at a spa.
Fire
To cause to burn; ignite or set fire to
Fired the enemy's encampment.
Water
A body of water such as a sea, lake, river, or stream.
Fire
To illuminate or cause to resemble fire, as in color
The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.
Water
Waters A particular stretch of sea or ocean, especially that of a state or country
Escorted out of British waters.
Fire
To start (a fuel-burning engine or a vehicle with such an engine). Often used with up.
Water
A supply of water
Had to turn off the water while repairing the broken drain.
Fire
To start or tend a fire in
Fire a furnace.
Water
A water supply system.
Fire
To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up
Demonstrators who were fired up by their sense of injustice.
Water
Any of the fluids normally secreted from the body, such as urine, perspiration, tears, or saliva.
Fire
To inspire or arouse (an emotion or the imagination).
Water
A fluid present in a body part in abnormal quantities as a result of injury or disease
Water on the knee.
Fire
To bake or dry by heating, as in a kiln
Fire pottery.
Water
The fluid surrounding a fetus in the uterus; amniotic fluid.
Fire
To discharge (a firearm, for example).
Water
An aqueous solution of a substance, especially a gas
Ammonia water.
Fire
To detonate (an explosive).
Water
A wavy finish or sheen, as of a fabric or metal.
Fire
To propel (a projectile) from a weapon or launch (a missile)
Fired several rounds before the gun jammed.
Water
The valuation of the assets of a business firm beyond their real value.
Fire
(Informal) To throw or propel with force and speed
Fire a ball at a batter.
Fire a puck at the goal.
Water
Stock issued in excess of paid-in capital.
Fire
To utter or direct with insistence
Fired questions at the senator.
Water
The transparency and luster of a gem.
Fire
(Games) To score (a number) in a game or contest
The golfer fired a 35 on the front nine.
Water
A level of excellence.
Fire
To end the employment or service of; dismiss.
Water
To pour or sprinkle water on; make wet
Watered the garden.
Fire
To become ignited; flame up
Wet kindling that just wouldn't fire.
Water
To give drinking water to.
Fire
To shoot a weapon
Aimed and fired at the target.
Water
To lead (an animal) to drinking water.
Fire
To detonate an explosive.
Water
To dilute or weaken by adding water
A bar serving whiskey that had been watered.
Fire
To ignite fuel; start
The engine fired right away.
Water
To give a sheen to the surface of (fabric or metal).
Fire
To send out a projectile; discharge
The cannons fired for hours.
Water
To increase (the number of shares of stock) without increasing the value of the assets represented.
Fire
To propel or hurl a projectile
The pitcher wound up and fired.
Water
To irrigate (land).
Fire
(Physiology) To generate an electrical impulse. Used of a neuron.
Water
To produce or discharge fluid, as from the eyes.
Fire
To become yellowed or brown before reaching maturity, as grain.
Water
To salivate in anticipation of food
The wonderful aroma from the kitchen makes my mouth water.
Fire
(uncountable) A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
Water
To take on a supply of water, as a ship.
Fire
(countable) An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).
We sat about the fire singing songs and telling tales.
Water
To drink water, as an animal.
Fire
(countable) The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.
There was a fire at the school last night and the whole place burned down.
During hot and dry summers many fires in forests are caused by regardlessly discarded cigarette butts.
Water
(uncountable) A substance (of molecular formula H2O) found at room temperature and pressure as a clear liquid; it is present naturally as rain, and found in rivers, lakes and seas; its solid form is ice and its gaseous form is steam.
By the action of electricity, the water was resolved into its two parts, oxygen and hydrogen.
Fire
The aforementioned chemical reaction of burning, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
Water
The liquid form of this substance: liquid H2O.
May I have a glass of water?
Your plants need more water.
Fire
A heater or stove used in place of a real fire (such as an electric fire).
Water
(countable) A serving of liquid water.
Fire
(countable) The elements necessary to start a fire.
The fire was laid and needed to be lit.
Water
The aforementioned liquid, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
He showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God.
Fire
(uncountable) The bullets or other projectiles fired from a gun or other ranged weapon.
The fire from the enemy guns kept us from attacking.
Water
Water in a body; an area of open water.
The boat was found within the territorial waters.
These seals are a common sight in the coastal waters of Chile.
Fire
(countable) A planned bombardment by artillery or similar weapons, or the capability to deliver such.
We dominated the battlespace with our fires.
Water
A body of water, almost always a river.
Fire
A barrage, volley
Water
A combination of water and other substance(s).
Fire
(rocketry) An instance of firing one or more rocket engines.
Static fire
Water
Mineral water.
Perrier is the most popular water in this restaurant.
Fire
Strength of passion, whether love or hate.
Water
Spa water.
Many people visit Bath to take the waters.
Fire
Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm.
Water
(pharmacy) A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance.
Ammonia water
Fire
Splendour; brilliancy; lustre; hence, a star.
Water
Urine.
Fire
A severe trial; anything inflaming or provoking.
Water
Amniotic fluid or the amniotic sac containing it. Used only in the plural in the UK but often also in the singular in North America. (The Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary says "often used in plural; also: bag of waters".)
Before the child is born, the pregnant woman’s water breaks.
Before your child is born, your water(s) will break.
Before the child is born, the pregnant woman’s waters break.
Fire
Red coloration in a piece of opal.
Water
Fluids in the body, especially when causing swelling.
He suffers from water on the knee.
Fire
(slang) Amazing; excellent.
That shit is fire, yo!
Water
A state of affairs; conditions; usually with an adjective indicating an adverse condition.
The rough waters of change will bring about the calm after the storm.
Fire
(transitive) To set (something, often a building) on fire.
Water
A person's intuition.
I know he'll succeed. I feel it in my waters.
Fire
(transitive) To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.
If you fire the pottery at too high a temperature, it may crack.
They fire the wood to make it easier to put a point on the end.
Water
Excess valuation of securities.
Fire
(transitive) To drive away by setting a fire.
Water
The limpidity and lustre of a precious stone, especially a diamond.
A diamond of the first water is perfectly pure and transparent
Fire
(transitive) To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct or poor performance).
Water
A wavy, lustrous pattern or decoration such as is imparted to linen, silk, metals, etc.
Fire
To terminate a contract with a client; to drop a client.
Water
(transitive) To pour water into the soil surrounding (plants).
Fire
(transitive) To shoot (a gun, rocket/missile, or analogous device).
We will fire our guns at the enemy.
The jet fired a salvo of rockets at the truck convoy.
He fired his radar gun at passing cars.
Water
(transitive) To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate.
Fire
(intransitive) To shoot a gun, cannon, or similar weapon.
Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
Water
(transitive) To provide (animals) with water for drinking.
I need to water the cattle.
Fire
(rocketry) To operate a rocket engine to produce thrust.
The RCS thrusters fired several times to stabilize the tumbling spacecraft.
Water
(intransitive) To get or take in water.
The ship put into port to water.
Fire
To set off an explosive in a mine.
Water
To urinate onto.
Nature called, so I stepped into the woods and watered a tree.
Fire
To shoot; to attempt to score a goal.
Water
(transitive) To dilute.
Can you water the whisky, please?
Fire
To cause an action potential in a cell.
When a neuron fires, it transmits information.
Water
To overvalue (securities), especially through deceptive accounting.
Fire
(transitive) To forcibly direct (something).
He answered the questions the reporters fired at him.
Water
(intransitive) To fill with or secrete water.
Chopping onions makes my eyes water.
The smell of fried onions makes my mouth water.
Fire
To initiate an event (by means of an event handler).
The event handler should only fire after all web page content has finished loading.
The queue fires a job whenever the thread pool is ready to handle it.
Water
(transitive) To wet and calender, as cloth, so as to impart to it a lustrous appearance in wavy lines; to diversify with wavelike lines.
To water silk
Fire
(transitive) To inflame; to irritate, as the passions.
To fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge
Water
The fluid which descends from the clouds in rain, and which forms rivers, lakes, seas, etc.
Fire
To be irritated or inflamed with passion.
Water
A body of water, standing or flowing; a lake, river, or other collection of water.
Remembering he had passed over a small water a poor scholar when first coming to the university, he kneeled.
Fire
To animate; to give life or spirit to.
To fire the genius of a young man
Water
Any liquid secretion, humor, or the like, resembling water; esp., the urine.
Fire
To feed or serve the fire of.
To fire a boiler
Water
A solution in water of a gaseous or readily volatile substance; as, ammonia water.
Fire
(transitive) To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.
Water
The limpidity and luster of a precious stone, especially a diamond; as, a diamond of the first water, that is, perfectly pure and transparent. Hence, of the first water, that is, of the first excellence.
Fire
To cauterize.
Water
An addition to the shares representing the capital of a stock company so that the aggregate par value of the shares is increased while their value for investment is diminished, or "diluted."
Fire
To catch fire; to be kindled.
Water
To wet or supply with water; to moisten; to overflow with water; to irrigate; as, to water land; to water flowers.
With tears watering the ground.
Men whose lives gilded on like rivers that water the woodlands.
Fire
Command to shoot with firearms
Water
To supply with water for drink; to cause or allow to drink; as, to water cattle and horses.
Fire
The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of bodies; combustion; state of ignition.
Water
To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken.
Fire
Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a stove or a furnace.
Water
To shed, secrete, or fill with, water or liquid matter; as, his eyes began to water.
If thine eyes can water for his death.
Fire
The burning of a house or town; a conflagration.
Water
To get or take in water; as, the ship put into port to water.
Fire
Anything which destroys or affects like fire.
Water
Binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
Fire
Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth; consuming violence of temper.
He had fire in his temper.
Water
The part of the earth's surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean);
They invaded our territorial waters
They were sitting by the water's edge
Fire
Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal.
And bless their critic with a poet's fire.
Water
Facility that provides a source of water;
The town debated the purification of the water supply
First you have to cut off the water
Fire
Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star.
Stars, hide your fires.
As in a zodiacrepresenting the heavenly fires.
Water
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
Fire
Torture by burning; severe trial or affliction.
Water
Liquid excretory product;
There was blood in his urine
The child had to make water
Fire
The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were exposed to a heavy fire.
Water
A fluid necessary for the life of most animals and plants;
He asked for a drink of water
Fire
To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile.
Water
Supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams;
Water the fields
Fire
To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln; as, to fire pottery.
Water
Provide with water;
We watered the buffalo
Fire
To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge.
Love had fired my mind.
Water
Secrete or form water, as tears or saliva;
My mouth watered at the prospect of a good dinner
His eyes watered
Fire
To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the genius of a young man.
Water
Fill with tears;
His eyes were watering
Fire
To feed or serve the fire of; as, to fire a boiler.
Water
Water has unique cohesive and adhesive properties.
The water adhered to the leaf, forming sparkling droplets.
Fire
To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.
[The sun] fires the proud tops of the eastern pines.
Water
Water can overcome obstacles by adapting and flowing.
The water found its way through the cracks, seeping into the ground below.
Fire
To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge; as, to fire a rifle, pistol, or cannon; to fire cannon balls, rockets, etc.
Fire
To drive by fire.
Till my bad angel fire my good one out.
Fire
To cauterize.
Fire
To dismiss from employment, a post, or other job; to cause (a person) to cease being an employee; - of a person. The act of firing is usually performed by that person's supervisor or employer.
Fire
To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle.
Fire
To be irritated or inflamed with passion.
Fire
To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the town.to grow irritated or angry.
Fire
The event of something burning (often destructive);
They lost everything in the fire
Fire
The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke;
Fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
Fire
The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy;
Hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
They retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
Fire
A fireplace in which a fire is burning;
They sat by the fire and talked
Fire
Intense adverse criticism;
Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
The government has come under attack
Don't give me any flak
Fire
Feelings of great warmth and intensity;
He spoke with great ardor
Fire
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
Fire
A severe trial;
He went through fire and damnation
Fire
Start firing a weapon
Fire
Cause to go off;
Fire a gun
Fire a bullet
Fire
Bake in a kiln so as to harden;
Fire pottery
Fire
Terminate the employment of;
The boss fired his secretary today
The company terminated 25% of its workers
Fire
Go off or discharge;
The gun fired
Fire
Drive out or away by or as if by fire;
The soldiers were fired
Surrender fires the cold skepticism
Fire
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
Fire
Destroy by fire;
They burned the house and his diaries
Fire
Provide with fuel;
Oil fires the furnace
Fire
Fire can be both creative and destructive.
The fire razed the old structures, making way for new developments.
Common Curiosities
Is water a universal solvent?
Yes, due to its polarity, water is often called the universal solvent.
Is fire a chemical reaction?
Yes, fire is a rapid, exothermic chemical reaction called combustion.
Does fire always represent destruction?
No, fire can also represent transformation, energy, and renewal.
Is water essential for all forms of life?
Yes, water is essential for most known forms of life.
Can fire exist without oxygen?
Typically, no. Fire generally requires oxygen to sustain the combustion process.
Can fire be controlled and used beneficially?
Yes, controlled fire is used for various beneficial purposes like cooking and heating.
Does fire emit light and heat?
Yes, fire emits both light and heat as a result of the combustion process.
Can water exist in different states?
Yes, water can exist in three states: solid, liquid, and gas.
Is water’s boiling point always 100°C?
At sea level and under standard atmospheric pressure, water boils at 100°C.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
