parch

verb

ˈpärch 

parched; parching; parches

transitive verb

1

: to toast under dry heat

2

: to shrivel with heat

3

: to dry or shrivel with cold

intransitive verb

: to become dry or scorched

Synonyms of parch

• dry
• scorch

Examples of parch in a Sentence

The hot desert sun had parched the land.

the heat has really parched my throat

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of them, like Tubbs, were refugee Midwesterners, sick of parching droughts and devouring plagues of locusts, the insects descending in buzzing clouds thick enough to blacken the noonday sun. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

People tend to think of dry hair as a winter problem, but between summer sun, salt water, and chlorine, parched strands really don't take a season off. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026

Add a Maison Perrier Strawberry Flavored Sparkling Water to your outfit to add to the intrigue and ensure you don’t get parched while chatting. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 15 June 2026

The result is hair that feels soft rather than stiff; piece-y and matte, but never parched. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for parch

• arch
• march
• starch
• cornstarch

Kids Definition

parch

verb

ˈpärch 

1

: to toast by dry heat

2

: to wilt with heat