singe

American  

[sinj] / sɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

singed, singeing

1. to burn superficially or slightly; scorch.

   Synonyms:

   char

2. to burn the ends, projections, nap, or the like, of (hair, cloth, etc.).

3. to subject (the carcass of an animal or bird) to flame in order to remove hair, bristles, feathers, etc.

---

noun

1. a superficial burn.

2. the act of singeing.

singe British  

/ sɪndʒ /

verb

1. to burn or be burnt superficially; scorch

   to singe one's clothes

2. (tr) to burn the ends of (hair, etc)

3. (tr) to expose (a carcass) to flame to remove bristles or hair

---

noun

1. a superficial burn

Related Words

See burn ¹.

Other Word Forms

• singeingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of singe

First recorded before 1000; Middle English sengen (verb), Old English sencgan; cognate with Dutch zengen, German sengen; akin to Old Norse sangr “singed, burnt”

Explanation

To burn something just a little bit is to singe it. If you get too close to your backyard fire pit, you might singe your shirt sleeve. When you singe your finger on a hot stove, it hurts, and when you singe your scarf on a campfire, you'll smell it starting to burn. The verb singe comes from the Old English root word sengan, "to burn lightly, or to burn the edges." One trick to the word singe is that when you add an ing, you need to be sure you keep the e — otherwise, instead of singeing, you'll be singing.

Example Sentences

In triple-digit heat, monkey bars singe children’s hands, water bottles warp and seatbelts feel like hot irons.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2023

In the oven’s heat, their tips singe and brown, turning irresistibly crisp.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 18, 2022

In a feat of literary alchemy, Kingsolver uses the fire of that boy’s spirit to illuminate — and singe — the darkest recesses of our country.

From Washington Post • Oct. 25, 2022

Whereas most hot sauces these days are in a competition to see who can singe your tonsils the most, I like that there's an actual balance to Humble House Ancho & Morita.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2022

She gives me a glare fit to singe hair.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black