burn

²burn

verb \ˈbərn\

burned\ˈbərnd, ˈbərnt\ or burnt\ˈbərnt\burn·ing

Definition of BURN

intransitive verb

1

a : to consume fuel and give off heat, light, and gases <a small fire burns on the hearth> b : to undergo combustion; also : to undergo nuclear fission or nuclear fusion c : to contain a fire <a little stove burning in the corner> d : to give off light : shine, glow <a light burning in the window>

2

a : to be hot <the burning sand> b : to produce or undergo discomfort or pain <ears burning from the cold> c : to become emotionally excited or agitated: as (1) : to yearn ardently <burning to tell the story> (2) : to be or become very angry or disgusted <the remark made him burn>

3

a : to undergo alteration or destruction by the action of fire or heat <the house burned down> <the potatoes burned to a crisp> b : to die in the electric chair

4

: to force or make a way by or as if by burning <her words burned into his heart>

5

: to suffer sunburn <she burns easily>

transitive verb

1

a : to cause to undergo combustion; especially : to destroy by fire <burned the trash> b : to use as fuel <this furnace burns gas> c : to use up : consume <burn calories>

2

a : to transform by exposure to heat or fire <burn clay to bricks> b : to produce by burning <burned a hole in his sleeve> c : to record digital data or music on (an optical disk) using a laser <burn a CD>; also : to record (data or music) in this way <burn songs onto a disk>

3

a : to injure or damage by or as if by exposure to fire, heat, or radiation : scorch <burned his hand> b : to execute by burning <burned heretics at the stake>; also : electrocute

4

a : irritate, annoy —often used with up <really burns me up> b : to subject to misfortune, mistreatment, or deception —often used in passive <has been burned in love> c : to beat or score on <burned the defense with a touchdown pass>

— burn·able \ˈbər-nə-bəl\ adjective

— burn one's bridges also burn one's boats

: to cut off all means of retreat

— burn one's ears

: to rebuke strongly

— burn the candle at both ends

: to use one's resources or energies to excess

— burn the midnight oil

: to work or study far into the night

Examples of BURN

1. A flame is kept constantly burning at the monument.
2. A small fire burned brightly in the fireplace.
3. There was a little stove burning in the front room.
4. I could smell smoke and knew that something was burning.
5. Be sure not to leave any candles burning when you go to bed.
6. I burned the letter when I had finished reading it.
7. The new town law makes it illegal to burn trash.
8. The wildfire has burned acres of forest.
9. Parts of the house were badly burned in the fire.
10. a material that burns easily

Origin of BURN

Middle English birnen, from Old English byrnan, v.i., bærnan, v.t.; akin to Old High German brinnan to burn

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BURN

Synonyms: blaze, combust, flame, glow, go up in flames

Antonyms: douse (also dowse), extinguish, put out, quench, snuff (out)

Related Words: catch, enkindle; deflagrate, fire, ignite, kindle; flare (up), light (up); flicker, gutter, waver; bake, broil, char, cook, melt, roast, scorch, swelter; smolder (or smoulder), spark, sputter; beam, brighten, radiate; beat (down), flash, glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, scintillate, shimmer, shine, sparkle, twinkle

Near Antonyms: choke, smother, suffocate; stamp (out); blacken, darken, dim, dull, obscure

see all synonyms and antonyms

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