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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Better to be parched with thirst, better to pray for pain, pain, and more pain, than to feel empty, and to feel so without truly feeling at all. Peter Nguyen, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025 Direct sun can parch and even burn plants sitting on a window sill. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025 This was in the days before bottled water, and by the time we were picked up, we were parched. Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 Each step has been a battle — boots sinking into the endless sand, muscles burning, throat parched and skin scorched. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parch

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of parch was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parch. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

parch

verb
1
: to toast by dry heat
2
: to wilt with heat

More from Merriam-Webster on parch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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