First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1burn
noun \ˈbərn\
Definition of BURN
British : creek 2
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Origin of BURN
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German brunno spring of water
2burn
verb \ˈbərn\
of a fire or flame : to give off heat, light, and gases
: to contain a fire
: to be on fire : to have or produce a flame
burned \ˈbərnd, ˈbərnt\ or burnt \ˈbərnt\ burn·ing
Full Definition of BURN
intransitive verb
1
2
a : to be hot <the burning sand> b : to produce or undergo discomfort or pain <ears burning from the cold> c : to become emotionally excited or agitated: as (1) : to yearn ardently <burning to tell the story> (2) : to be or become very angry or disgusted <the remark made him burn>
3
a : to undergo alteration or destruction by the action of fire or heat <the house burned down> <the potatoes burned to a crisp> b : to die in the electric chair
4
: to force or make a way by or as if by burning <her words burned into his heart>
5
: to suffer sunburn <she burns easily>
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to undergo combustion; especially : to destroy by fire <burned the trash> b : to use as fuel <this furnace burns gas> c : to use up : consume <burn calories>
2
a : to transform by exposure to heat or fire <burn clay to bricks> b : to produce by burning <burned a hole in his sleeve> c : to record digital data or music on (an optical disk) using a laser <burn a CD>; also : to record (data or music) in this way <burn songs onto a disk>
3
a : to injure or damage by or as if by exposure to fire, heat, or radiation : scorch <burned his hand> b : to execute by burning <burned heretics at the stake>; also : electrocute
4
a : irritate, annoy —often used with up <really burns me up> b : to subject to misfortune, mistreatment, or deception —often used in passive <has been burned in love> c : to beat or score on <burned the defense with a touchdown pass>
— burn·able \ˈbər-nə-bəl\ adjective
— burn one's bridges also burn one's boats
: to cut off all means of retreat
— burn one's ears
: to rebuke strongly
— burn the candle at both ends
: to use one's resources or energies to excess
— burn the midnight oil
: to work or study far into the night
See burn defined for English-language learners
See burn defined for kids
Origin of BURN
Middle English birnen, from Old English byrnan, v.i., bærnan, v.t.; akin to Old High German brinnan to burn
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to BURN
- Antonyms
- douse (also dowse), extinguish, put out, quench, snuff (out)
3burn
noun
Definition of BURN
1
: an act, process, instance, or result of burning: as a : injury or damage resulting from exposure to fire, heat, caustics, electricity, or certain radiations b : a burned area <a burn on the tabletop> c : an abrasion (as of the skin) having the appearance of a burn <rope burns> d : a burning sensation <the burn of iodine on a cut>
2
: the firing of a rocket engine in flight
3
: anger; especially : increasing fury —used chiefly in the phrase slow burn
First Known Use of BURN
1594
BURN Defined for Kids
1burn
verb \ˈbərn\
burned \ˈbərnd\ or burnt \ˈbərnt\burn·ing
Definition of BURN for Kids
1
: to be on fire or to set on fire <a candle burning>
2
: to destroy or be destroyed by fire or heat <The building burned to the ground.>
3
: to make or produce by fire or heat <Sparks burned a hole in my shirt.>
4
: to give light <lanterns burning>
5
: to injure or affect by or as if by fire or heat <I burned my finger.> <The hot peppers burned my throat.>
6
: to ruin by cooking too long or with too much heat
7
: to feel or cause to feel as if on fire <burning with fever>
8
: to feel a strong emotion <burn with anger>
9
: to record music or data on a computer disk <burn a CD>
10
: to get a sunburn
2burn
noun
Definition of BURN for Kids
: an injury produced by burning or by something rubbing away the skin <a rope burn>
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