1

scorch

verb \ ˈskȯrch \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Definition of scorch

scorched; scorching; scorches

transitive verb

1 : to burn a surface of so as to change its color and texture

2 a : to dry or shrivel with or as if with intense heat : parch

b : to afflict painfully with censure or sarcasm

3 : devastate; especially : to destroy (something, such as property of possible use to an advancing enemy) before abandoning —used in the phrase scorched earth

intransitive verb

1 : to become scorched

2 : to travel at great and usually excessive speed

3 : to cause intense heat or mental anguish

scorching sun

scorching fury

—

scorchingly

play \ˈskȯr-chiŋ-lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of scorch from the Web

Three other fires were burning Sunday on Camp Pendleton in North County and have scorched a combined 1,600 acres, according to Marine base officials.

— andrea castillo, latimes.com, "'I have happy tears,' Goleta resident says after finding his home survived destructive wildfire," 9 July 2018
The unrelenting equatorial sun scorches from above, and an explosion of chatter from shops just beyond a grove of spindly trees briefly breaks her focus.

— deirdre fernandes, BostonGlobe.com, "An education in hope," 7 July 2018
One restored painting by the indigenous artist Diego Quispe Tito was scorched in a 2016 fire at a Cuzco church along with more than 30 other works.

— Fox News, "AP PHOTOS: Peruvian restoration center rescues art from ruin," 4 July 2018
The blaze, which began Saturday afternoon and at times was scorching an average of 1,000 acres an hour, sent huge plumes of smoke and ash into the air that turned Bay Area skies orange and left a coating of ash on cars throughout Sacramento.

— julia sclafani and sam stanton, sacbee, "County Fire is the state's largest blaze, tearing through dry grass, oak and brush," 2 July 2018
Even his fourth-inning groundout against Verlander was scorched, a screamer that exited his bat at 106 mph right to Jose Altuve.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Wilson Ramos, Rays sting Justin Verlander in Astros' loss," 30 June 2018
The photographs from Pompeii in May scorched the Internet.

— ian shapira, Washington Post, "Everyone thought he was killed by a giant rock at Pompeii. Then, they found his skull.," 29 June 2018
This method scorches roughly the same amount of calories as a one-hour run, but in half the time.

— Philly.com, "A cardio circuit for people who hate running," 26 June 2018
They would be scorched to death, crushed by collapsing buildings, suffocated beneath rubble, and pierced with flying chunks of glass and metal.

— Daily Intelligencer, "This Is What a Nuclear Bomb Looks Like," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scorch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scorch

Middle English; probably akin to Middle English scorcnen to become singed, scorklen to parch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

2

scorch

noun

Definition of scorch

1 : a result of scorching

2 : a browning of plant tissues usually from disease or heat

See scorch defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of scorch from the Web

Summer nights in the 70s seem part of the silent bargain many of us make with Washington weather, tolerating the inevitable sweat and scorch of the day in return for a bit of respite after dark.

— martin weil, Washington Post, "Washington saw days of swelter this week; the nights were pretty warm too," 6 July 2018
Bourdain clearly operates with all six burners on scorch, and the result keeps the reader excited.

— deirdre donahue, USA TODAY, "Our review: Anthony Bourdain's 'Kitchen Confidential' captured restaurants' demented glory," 8 June 2018
Though the prequels certainly felt some of its scorch, this is the first Star Wars trilogy to truly contend with the full force of the Internet’s attention.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," 17 Dec. 2017
Chile brings an insistent thrust to every dish, sometimes a scorch and quick retreat, sometimes a steady radiance.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "Tastes That Are Distinctly Bangladeshi in Queens," 26 Oct. 2017
Stir tomatoes frequently so mixture does not scorch on bottom.

— mary g. pepitone, kansascity, "Sweet, savory homemade ketchup a legacy of love | The Kansas City Star," 24 Oct. 2017
City dwellers will have a difficult time seeing anything but the brightest scorches of light.

— neel v. patel, Slate Magazine, "Treat Yourself to a Meteor Shower," 20 Oct. 2017
The blaze burned brush and left scorch marks on some big trees that survived, said Cheryl Chipman, a fire information officer.

— CBS News, "Smoke from western wildfires causes health concerns," 5 Sep. 2017
The blaze burned brush and left scorch marks on some big trees that survived, said Cheryl Chipman, a fire information officer.

— matt volz and sudhin thanawala, chicagotribune.com, "Wind-whipped wildfires bear down on Glacier, Yosemite parks," 5 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scorch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of scorch

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

3

scorch

verb

Definition of scorch

scorched; scorching; scorches

transitive verb

dialectal British

: cut, slash

Recent Examples of scorch from the Web

Everything but the artists’ tools, canvasses and some of the paint is melted, scorched or blasted to pieces.

— kevin fagan, SFChronicle.com, "Wine Country artists find new life, inspiration in the wreckage of studios," 9 July 2018
The Pawnee Fire, fueled by high winds and triple-digit temperatures, has gone on to scorch more than 13,000 acres and destroy at least 22 homes and other structures since breaking out June 23 from an unknown source.

— jim carlton, WSJ, "Giant Wildfires Become Way Of Life in One Northern California County," 1 July 2018
But with his decision to scorch the deal, here’s a look at what happens next.

— kaitlyn schallhorn, Fox News, "What's next for Iran nuclear deal after Trump ditches accord," 8 May 2018
Dylan Anagnos continued to scorch the ball at the plate for Marriotts Ridge, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

— kyle stackpole, Howard County Times, "Howard County varsity roundup, May 1," 2 May 2018
Manny Machado’s bat has been scorching over the past 11 games, during which time the Orioles are 3-8.

— josh land, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles on deck: What to watch Thursday at Tigers, plus lineups, broadcast info and more," 19 Apr. 2018
Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory will remain closed Wednesday after a 25-acre brush fire scorched hillsides in Griffith Park a day earlier.

— javier panzar, latimes.com, "Griffith Observatory to remain closed through Friday after brush fire scorches parkland," 12 July 2018
Boos were audible after Khris Davis scorched another, a run-scoring smash through the right side that summoned manager A.J. Hinch from the dugout.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Bizarre ending secures Astros' extra-innings victory over A's," 11 July 2018
Summer temperatures have reached scorching highs over the past several decades and, for many, that likely means your air conditioners are working overtime.

— fiza pirani, ajc, "Are air conditioners slowly killing us?," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scorch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scorch

Middle English, perhaps blend of scoren to score and scocchen to scotch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

SCORCH Defined for English Language Learners

scorch

noun

Definition of scorch for English Language Learners

: a damaged area or mark that is caused by burning

SCORCH Defined for Kids

scorch

verb \ ˈskȯrch \

Definition of scorch for Students

scorched; scorching

1 : to burn on the surface The fire scorched the bottom of the pan.

2 : to dry or shrivel with or as if with intense heat Drought scorched the crops.

3 : to produce intense heat

The wind had died and already the sun was beginning to scorch.
—Theodore Taylor, The Cay

Learn More about scorch

See words that rhyme with scorch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scorch Spanish Central: Translation of scorch Nglish: Translation of scorch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scorch for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scorch

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

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