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[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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