scorch

[skawrch]

verb (used with object)

1. to affect the color, taste, etc., of by burning slightly.

   The collar of the shirt was yellow where the iron had scorched it.

   Synonyms: blister, char

2. to parch or shrivel with heat.

   The sun scorched the grass.

3. to criticize severely.

   Synonyms: condemn, excoriate
   Antonyms: laud

4. Machinery.,  burn.

5. to destroy (crops, towns, etc.) by or as if by fire in the path of an invading army's advance.

verb (used without object)

1. to become scorched.

   Milk scorches easily.

2. Informal.,  to travel or drive at high speed.

   The car scorched along the highway.

noun

1. a superficial burn.

scorch

/ skɔːtʃ /

verb

1. to burn or become burnt, so as to affect the colour, taste, etc, or to cause or feel pain

2. to wither or parch or cause to wither from exposure to heat

3. informal,  (intr) to be very hot

   it is scorching outside

4. informal,  (tr) to criticize harshly

5. slang,  (intr) to drive or ride very fast

noun

1. a slight burn

2. a mark caused by the application of too great heat

3. horticulture a mark or series of marks on fruit, vegetables, etc, caused by pests or insecticides

Other Word Forms

• unscorched adjective
• well-scorched adjective
• scorching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scorch¹

1400–50; late Middle English scorchen, perhaps blend of scorcnen (< Scandinavian; compare Old Norse skorpna to shrivel) and torch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of scorch¹

C15: probably from Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up

Synonym Study

See burn ¹.

Example Sentences

The only girl on the pitch, she would scorch past once-scornful boys.

From BBC

The air-conditioning - built for Russian winters - was barely adequate in scorching Indian summers.

From BBC

The downpours created a slew of issues for isolated mountain communities, many where the landscape has been scorched by wildfire in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times

On a scorchingly hot day in the American Midwest, Tim Maxwell is voicing his fears about the future of farming.

From BBC

The fire scorched 10,000 more acres on Sunday, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bake 
• blacken 
• char 
• melt 
• parch 
• sear