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
First Known Use: before 12th century

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
a :  to consume fuel and give off heat, light, and gases <a small fire burns on the hearth>
b :  to undergo combustion; also :  to undergo nuclear fission or nuclear fusion
c :  to contain a fire <a little stove burning in the corner>
d :  to give off light :  shine, glow <a light burning in the window>
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

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

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[1] 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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