Burn

/bɜrn/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An injury caused by fire, heat, or chemical exposure.

He sustained a burn on his arm after touching the hot stove.

A period of intense physical exertion in which a person feels discomfort.

I could feel the burn in my muscles as I completed the last few repetitions.

verb

To be used up or consumed in a process.

The candle will burn for several hours before it needs to be replaced.

To consume fuel and produce heat or light.

The wood in the fireplace began to burn brightly, casting shadows on the walls.

To damage or destroy something with fire or heat.

Be careful not to burn yourself while cooking the pasta.

To feel a sensation of heat or pain, often used in the context of exercise or physical exertion.

After running for an hour, my legs started to burn from the exertion.

Middle English, from Old English 'byrne' meaning to be consumed by fire.

burn the midnight oil

To work late into the night.

play with fire

To take risks that could lead to danger.

burn bridges

To eliminate opportunities for return or reconciliation.

burnout

A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.

burnable

Capable of being burned.

burning

Producing or containing flames or heat.

To insult someone sharply.

He really burned her with that comeback.

To suffer a loss or defeat.

After that bet, I totally burned my chances of winning.