sear

1
[ seer ]
See synonyms for: searsearedsearersearest on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to burn or char the surface of: She seared the steak to seal in the juices.

  2. to mark with a branding iron.

  1. to burn or scorch injuriously or painfully: He seared his hand on a hot steam pipe.

  2. to harden or scar emotionally: The traumatic experiences of her youth have permanently seared her.

  3. to dry up or wither; parch.

verb (used without object)
  1. to become dry or withered, as vegetation.

noun
  1. a mark or scar made by searing.

adjective

Origin of sear

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective ser(e), Old English sēar; cognate with Dutch zoor; the verb is derivative of the adjective

synonym study For sear

1. See burn1.

Other words from sear

  • un·seared, adjective

Words Nearby sear

Other definitions for sear (2 of 2)

sear2
[ seer ]

noun
  1. a pivoted piece that holds the hammer at full cock or half cock in the firing mechanism of small arms.

Origin of sear

2
First recorded in 1550–60; from Middle French serre “a grip,” derivative of serrer “to lock up, close,” ultimately from Late Latin serāre “to bar (a door)”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sear in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sear (1 of 2)

sear1

/ (sɪə) /


verb(tr)
  1. to scorch or burn the surface of

  2. to brand with a hot iron

  1. to cause to wither or dry up

  2. rare to make callous or unfeeling

noun
  1. a mark caused by searing

adjective
  1. poetic dried up

Origin of sear

1
Old English sēarian to become withered, from sēar withered; related to Old High German sōrēn, Greek hauos dry, Sanskrit sōsa drought

British Dictionary definitions for sear (2 of 2)

sear2

/ (sɪə) /


noun
  1. the catch in the lock of a small firearm that holds the hammer or firing pin cocked

Origin of sear

2
C16: probably from Old French serre a clasp, from serrer to hold firmly, from Late Latin sērāre to bolt, from Latin sera a bar

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012