burnt

American  

[burnt] / bɜrnt /

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of burn.

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adjective

1. Fine Arts.

   1. of or showing earth pigments that have been calcined and changed to a deeper and warmer color.

      burnt ocher.

   2. of or showing colors having a deeper or grayer hue than is usually associated with them.

      burnt orange; burnt rose.

burnt British  

/ bɜːnt /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of burn 1

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adjective

1. affected by or as if by burning; charred

2. (of various pigments, such as ochre and orange) calcined, with a resultant darkening of colour

Other Word Forms

• unburnt adjective
• well-burnt adjective

Etymology

Origin of burnt

First recorded in 1350–1400, for the adjective

Example Sentences

I sometimes hoped I’d get a call in the middle of the night: “The building burnt down, and all your stuff is gone. Congratulations!”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Actress Rose Byrne gives a visceral portrayal of a burnt out mother who feels alone in her struggle to meet the needs of her daughter and hold up the scaffolding of family life.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Since you don’t mention that you’re burnt out, I assume that you enjoy your work.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

The house was severely damaged, partially burnt and its roof destroyed.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Her hair was down to her butt and burnt a warm umber from the sun.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline