sear

¹ American  

[seer] / sɪər /

verb (used with object)

sears, present (3rd person singular) seared, past participle, past searing present participle

1. to burn or char the surface of.

   She seared the steak to seal in the juices.

2. to mark with a branding iron.

3. to burn or scorch injuriously or painfully.

   He seared his hand on a hot steam pipe.

4. to harden or scar emotionally.

   The traumatic experiences of her youth have permanently seared her.

5. to dry up or wither; parch.

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verb (used without object)

sears, present (3rd person singular) seared, past participle, past searing present participle

1. to become dry or withered, as vegetation.

noun

1. a mark or scar made by searing.

adjective

1. sere.

sear ² American  

[seer] / sɪər /

noun

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

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sear ¹ British  

/ sɪə /

verb

1. to scorch or burn the surface of

2. to brand with a hot iron

3. to cause to wither or dry up

4. rare to make callous or unfeeling

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noun

1. a mark caused by searing

adjective

1. poetic dried up

sear ² British  

/ sɪə /

noun

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

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Synonym Usage

See burn ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unseared
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have seared
  perfect
• has seared
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are searing
  progressive
• searing
  participle
• am searing
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been searing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• sears
  singular 3rd person
• have been searing
  perfect progressive
• is searing
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had seared
  perfect
• was searing
  progressive singular
• were searing
  progressive plural
• seared
  simple
• seared
  participle
• had been searing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will sear
  simple
• will have seared
  perfect
• will be searing
  progressive
• will have been searing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of sear¹

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

Origin of sear²

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)”

Explanation

To sear something is to quickly cook or burn its surface by applying intense heat. When making beef stew, the color and flavor are usually better if you sear the meat first. Sear comes from the Old English word searian which meant “dry up” or “wither.” Typically, the verb sear now refers to burning or scorching something with heat, but if you see the phrase “wind-seared,” it means that a place — or something left in that place — has been withered by exposure to the elements. An unpleasant image can be seared into your memory, meaning you can't forget it.

Example Sentences

Season the skirt steak with salt and black pepper, then sear in batches until deeply browned around the edges, about 2–3 minutes per side.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

The subtle highs and lows create ridges, which sear, and recessed pockets that promote airflow and deter sticking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Pros like Cincinnati-based chef Jose Salazar told me they favor carbon-steel pans because they’re virtually indestructible, relatively affordable and about half the weight of cast iron, so they heat up faster and sear well.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Charlie opens a ghost kitchen and insists on being called “chef,” his apron knotted tight like he’s about to sear duck breast instead of, say, boil milksteak.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2025

Ella let her eyes sear into Lian's until she looked away.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• blight
• scorch
• sizzle
• toast