fire vs backfire

fire and backfire both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
fire	Yes	No	Yes	No
backfire	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, backfire is a hyponym of fire; that is, backfire is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than fire:

fire: the event of something burning (often destructive)
backfire: a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path

As verbs, backfire is a hyponym of fire; that is, backfire is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than fire:

Other hyponyms of fire include cremate, torch, scorch.

fire (noun)	backfire (noun)
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy	a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning	a loud noise made by the explosion of fuel in the manifold or exhaust of an internal combustion engine
intense adverse criticism	the backward escape of gases and unburned gunpowder after a gun is fired
the event of something burning (often destructive)	a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path
a severe trial
feelings of great warmth and intensity
the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking
once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles), associated with the humour bile

fire (verb)	backfire (verb)
bake in a kiln so as to harden	set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire
destroy by fire	emit a loud noise as a result of undergoing a backfire
start or maintain a fire in	come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect
become ignited
cause to go off
start firing a weapon
go off or discharge
generate an electrical impulse
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
drive out or away by or as if by fire
provide with fuel
terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position