burning

adjective

burn·​ing ˈbər-niŋ How to pronounce burning (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of burning in a Sentence

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 Of course, the surprise Love Is Blind alumni guests will also get in on the fun, asking the current cast some of their most burning questions. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 There is little public discussion of the most burning issue of the day – the war – and efforts by public opinion scientists to quantify peoples’ moods are fraught with ambiguity. Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024 In addition to her own research, Jessie tapped top lingerie and bra experts to learn more about what to look for in plus-size lingerie and answer some of our most burning questions. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 From there, Jessie connected with a celebrity hairstylist to learn more about what to look for in hair growth masks and conditioners, plus ask some of our most burning questions about these two types of hair growth formulas. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024 One of the most burning questions: Will Swift actually be able to make it to Vegas from her Feb. 10 tour date in Tokyo? Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Feb. 2024 Perhaps one of the most burning questions of all is whether the megalodon somehow survived and continues to roam the depths of unexplored waters today. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024 And more burning questions about the Housewives’ upcoming fourth season. Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Aug. 2023 So, why not engage and ask your most burning question? Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of burning was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near burning

Cite this Entry

“Burning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burning. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

burning

1 of 2 adjective
burn·​ing ˈbər-niŋ How to pronounce burning (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on burning

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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