char

1 of 2

verb (1)

charred; charring

transitive verb

1

: to convert to charcoal or carbon usually by heat : burn

2

: to burn slightly or partly : scorch

the fire charred the beams

intransitive verb

: to become charred

char

2 of 2

verb (2)

charred; charring

intransitive verb

: to work as a cleaning woman

Synonyms of char

Verb (1)

• scorch
• bake
• singe
• sear
• light

Examples of char in a Sentence

Verb (1)

I'd like my hamburger charred, but not cooked through

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

First, the hot dog must be slightly charred. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Brush the cut sides with olive oil and grill, cut-side down, over direct heat until charred, about 1 minute. —Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026

The results of DNA tests to determine the identities of some of the bodies that were charred beyond recognition are expected later Wednesday. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

Cover and grill until bell peppers are tender and charred underneath and filling is cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of filling should register at least 165°), about 20 minutes. —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

charcoal

Verb (2)

charwoman

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing char

• arctic char

Rhymes for char

• ar
• are
• bar
• barr
• car
• carr
• charr
• czar
• far
• farre
• haar
• har

Kids Definition

char

1 of 3 noun

ˈchär 

plural char or chars

: any of a genus of trouts that have small scales and include the common brook trout

char

2 of 3 verb

charred; charring

1

: to change or become changed to charcoal or carbon usually by heat : burn

2

: to burn or become burned partly or slightly : scorch

char

3 of 3 noun

: charcoal