set afar
Set something on fire; light it up.
Also called set afire, set on fire.
Updated September 24, 2026
set afar pronunciation
/set uh-FAR/
Meaning
Set afar is how set afire often comes out in Appalachian and rural Southern talk. Far here is the mountain sound of fire. If somebody says don't pour that gas or you'll set it afar, they mean you'll light the whole mess. Some word lists gloss it put aside, but the living speech sense is burn.
How folks use it
- “Don't throw that match near the brush pile or you'll set it afar.”
- “Lightning set that old barn afar last summer.”
Origin and etymology
From older English set afire, meaning set on fire. Appalachian speech often pronounces fire as far. Run together, set afire sounds like set afar. Same family as build a far for build a fire.
Frequently asked questions
Does set afar mean put something aside?
Some glossaries say that, but in mountain talk it usually means set on fire. Context will tell you which.