verb
sear
seer
Sear (verb) means to burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat. Example: “Sear the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side.”
verb
1
To burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.
"Sear the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side."
"The explosion seared the paint off the wall."
adjective
1
Dried up or withered, especially of plants.
"By late summer the grass had turned sear and brittle."
How to use sear
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often used in cooking, meaning to brown the outside of meat quickly over high heat.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "seer" (someone who predicts the future) — they sound identical.
Common pairings
sear the meat
searing heat
searing pain
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sear.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sears
- Third person singular
- sears
- Past tense
- seared
- Comparative
- searer, more sear
- Superlative
- searest, most sear
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side.
Etymology
From Old English sēar ("dry, withered"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "dry, parched."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sear
See all rhymes for sear →Frequently asked questions
What does “sear” mean?
The word “sear” means to burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat. In plain terms, most often used in cooking, meaning to brown the outside of meat quickly over high heat.
How do you pronounce “sear”?
“Sear” is pronounced seer (/sɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sear” in a sentence?
Here is “sear” used in a sentence: “Sear the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side.”
What part of speech is “sear”?
Depending on how it is used, “sear” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “sear” come from?
The word “sear” comes from Old English. From Old English sēar ("dry, withered"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "dry, parched.".
How many meanings does “sear” have?
“Sear” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.
