adjective Common

burned

BURND

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Burned (adjective) means Damaged or consumed by fire, heat, or a similar destructive process. Example: “The burned toast set off the smoke alarm.”

adjective

Damaged or consumed by fire, heat, or a similar destructive process.

"The burned toast set off the smoke alarm."

"That's when the doctors found out that my throat was very burned and swollen, and that I was not lying." — Brian Soto, My Life with Tumors & Cancer (2017)

"Firefighters found only the burned remains of the old shed."

"She threw away the burned cake and started again."

"Few photos were even taken of the inner side of the closet door, so that only witness memories—police and firefighter witness memories—can attest to which side was more burned." — Edward Humes, Burned: A Story of Murder and the Crime That Wasn't (2019)

"Creating more burned range, which is not available in severe winters, would be of no use." — Ervin G. Schuster, Below-cost Timber Sales (1985)

How to use burned

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something that has been damaged by fire or heat; also the standard past tense of "burn" in American English.

UK vs US

American English favours "burned"; British English more often uses "burnt," especially as an adjective before a noun.

Easily confused with

burnt →

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Comparative: more burned
Superlative: most burned

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ toast set off the smoke alarm.

Etymology

The past tense is inherited from Middle English burnede. The past participle (from which the adjective is also derived) is inherited from Middle English burned. Synchronically, both forms are equivalent to burn + -ed.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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scorched charred singed seared scalded blackened burnt

Related words

burnt baked roasted blackened charred scorched seared parched

Rhymes for burned

returned unturned adjourned

See all rhymes for burned →

Frequently asked questions

What does “burned” mean?

The word “burned” means damaged or consumed by fire, heat, or a similar destructive process. In plain terms, describes something that has been damaged by fire or heat; also the standard past tense of "burn" in American English.

How do you pronounce “burned”?

“Burned” is pronounced BURND (/ˈbɝnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “burned” in a sentence?

Here is “burned” used in a sentence: “The burned toast set off the smoke alarm.”

What part of speech is “burned”?

“Burned” is an adjective.

Is “burned” a common word?

“Burned” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between 'burned' and 'burnt'?

'Burned' and 'burnt' are both accepted past forms of 'burn,' but 'burned' is more common in American English while 'burnt' is more common in British English. As an adjective before a noun, many writers prefer 'burnt,' as in 'burnt toast,' even in American usage.

When should you use 'burned' instead of 'burnt'?

In American English, 'burned' is the safer choice for both the verb and the adjective, as in 'the fire burned all night.' 'Burnt' is more strongly associated with British English and with describing damaged objects, such as 'burnt edges.'

Is it 'burned out' or 'burnt out'?

Both 'burned out' and 'burnt out' are correct, and the choice usually follows the same regional pattern, with 'burned out' favoured in American English. The phrase can describe a light or engine that has stopped working, or a person who is exhausted from overwork.

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burnt baked roasted blackened charred scorched seared parched