scorch

7 synonyms for scorch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To burn the surface of something, discolouring or damaging it without destroying it completely.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

char whip

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

sear singe blacken blister scald

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To burn the surface of something, discolouring or damaging it without destroying it completely.

“The iron scorched a mark into the shirt.”

char sear singe blacken blister scald whip

2. noun

A mark or patch of surface burning or discolouration.

“There's a scorch on the tablecloth from the hot pan.”

singe

How to use scorch

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

scorch the earth scorching heat scorch marks

Etymology

From Middle English scorchen, likely an alteration of an earlier form related to Old Norse skorpna, "to shrivel up."

Full origin of scorch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “scorch” mean?

The word “scorch” means to burn the surface of something, discolouring or damaging it without destroying it completely. In plain terms, to burn something on the surface, or the burn mark itself; also used loosely for extreme heat or blistering criticism.

How do you pronounce “scorch”?

“Scorch” is pronounced skawch (/skɔɹt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “scorch” in a sentence?

Here is “scorch” used in a sentence: “The iron scorched a mark into the shirt.”

What part of speech is “scorch”?

Depending on how it is used, “scorch” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “scorch” come from?

The word “scorch” comes from Middle English. From Middle English scorchen, likely an alteration of an earlier form related to Old Norse skorpna, "to shrivel up.".

How many meanings does “scorch” have?

“Scorch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to burn the surface of something, discolouring or damaging it without destroying it completely.

Related words

livid

People also searched

whip char scald singe blacken sear blister

Nearby words

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