burning
BUR-nihng
Burning (adjective) means On fire, or so hot it seems to be on fire. Example: “Firefighters rushed into the burning building.”
adjective
1
On fire, or so hot it seems to be on fire.
"Firefighters rushed into the burning building."
"The smell of burning toast filled the kitchen."
"Be careful, the burning logs may spit sparks onto the rug."
2
Intensely felt; urgent or pressing.
"She had one burning question for the panel."
"He felt a burning desire to prove himself."
"Climate change remains one of the burning issues of our time."
noun
1
The act or process of something being consumed by fire.
"The burning of fossil fuels contributes to climate change."
"The burning of old leaves is banned in this town."
"Smoke from the burning of rubbish drifted across the fields."
How to use burning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn fire, or (figuratively) extremely intense, urgent, or passionately felt.
Common pairings
burning question
burning desire
burning building
burning sensation
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Word forms
- Plural
- burnings
- Comparative
- more burning
- Superlative
- most burning
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Firefighters rushed into the _____ building.
Etymology
On a surface analysis, it is burn plus -ing.
Synonyms
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blazing
flaming
fiery
ablaze
aflame
scorching
red-hot
burn
combustion
electrocution
burning at the stake
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for burning
See all rhymes for burning →Frequently asked questions
What does “burning” mean?
The word “burning” means on fire, or so hot it seems to be on fire. In plain terms, on fire, or (figuratively) extremely intense, urgent, or passionately felt.
How do you pronounce “burning”?
“Burning” is pronounced BUR-nihng (/ˈbɝnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “burning” in a sentence?
Here is “burning” used in a sentence: “Firefighters rushed into the burning building.”
What part of speech is “burning”?
Depending on how it is used, “burning” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “burning” a common word?
“Burning” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “burning” have?
“Burning” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: on fire, or so hot it seems to be on fire.
What is the difference between burning and smouldering?
Burning means actively on fire, usually with visible flames and intense heat. Smouldering means burning slowly without flames, producing smoke and glowing embers instead. A smouldering fire can flare into open burning if it gets enough air, which is why smouldering material is still treated as dangerous.
What does burning mean when it is not about fire?
Burning is often used figuratively. A burning sensation is a stinging, hot feeling on the skin or in the body. A burning question or burning desire is one felt with great intensity and urgency. In each case the word borrows the heat and force of real fire to add emphasis.
Is burning an adjective or a verb?
It can be both. As an adjective, burning describes something on fire or intensely hot — a burning building, burning heat. As a verb, it is the present participle of 'burn,' describing the action itself: the logs are burning. The same word shifts role depending on how the sentence is built.
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