burning

1 of 2

adjective

burn·​ing ˈbər-niŋ 

1

a

: being on fire

b

: ardent, intense

burning enthusiasm

2

a

: affecting with or as if with heat

a burning fever

b

: resembling that produced by a burn

a burning sensation on the tongue

3

: of fundamental importance : urgent

one of the burning issues of our time

burningly

ˈbər-niŋ-lē 

adverb

burning

2 of 2

present participle of burn entry 1

Synonyms of burning

Adjective

• blazing
• flaming
• flickering
• smoldering
• burned

Examples of burning in a Sentence

Adjective

She stared at the burning embers for a long time.

a burning hatred of corruption

The medicine produced a burning sensation on my tongue.

Symptoms include itchy, burning eyes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case. — Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online. — Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

An important insider just shed light on one of the most burning questions in reality TV. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing burning

• burning bush
• burning ghat
• burning hot
• ears are burning
• fat-burning
• feel one's ears burning

Rhymes for burning

• churning
• earning
• learning
• spurning
• turning
• yearning
• adjourning
• concerning
• discerning
• returning
• overturning

Medical Definition

burning

1 of 2 adjective

burn·​ing ˈbər-niŋ 

1

: affecting with or as if with heat

a burning fever

2

: resembling that produced by a burn

a burning sensation on the tongue

burning

2 of 2 noun

: a sensation of being on fire or excessively heated

gastric burning