English

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Etymology

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Probably a euphemistic form of hell-fired.

Adjective

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all-fired (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly US, informal) Extreme, excessive.

Adverb

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all-fired (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly US, intensifier, informal) Extremely, thoroughly, very. [from 19th c.]
    • 1909, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 14, in Anne of Avonlea:
      Of course, I was only stringing Jerry . . . he thinks he's so all-fired cute and smart.
    • 1970, Donald Harington, Lightning Bug, published 2005, page 32:
      Latha dear, she said resolutely, once in your life you'll just have to quit being so all-fired superstitious.
    • 1972, Carole King (lyrics and music), “Bitter with the Sweet”, in Rhymes & Reasons:
      Sometimes I'm tired and I wonder / What's so all-fired important / About being someplace at some time

Synonyms

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