burned-out
Americanadjective
-
rendered unserviceable or ineffectual by maximum use; consumed.
Check your outdoor lights and replace any burned-out bulbs.
-
exhausted or made listless through overwork, stress, or intemperance.
-
deprived of one's regular place to live, work, etc., by a destructive fire.
Etymology
Origin of burned-out
First recorded in 1805–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's quite possible that they are moving equipment," said Ivan, 50, standing amid the shells of burned-out cars, referring to Russian troops.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
But visitors from outside the kibbutz would be shocked to see a burned-out house—and would learn from it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
Advice for a burned-out breadwinner: A letter writer who’s outwardly successful by all measures—a wife, kids, a well-paying job—can’t stop dreaming about leaving it all behind.
From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026
Three dump trucks carried waste away, but firefighters said it would still be days before crews would be able to access the remains of the burned-out interior.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
The fire marshals and bomb squad pick through the burned-out section in the back that serves as an annex for the office, where we keep voting registration and contributor records.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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