torch
TAWCH
Torch (noun) means a small portable light powered by a battery (British usage); in American English, a stick with a flaming end used as a light source. Example: “She grabbed a torch before heading into the dark basement.”
noun
1
A small portable light powered by a battery (British usage); in American English, a stick with a flaming end used as a light source.
"She grabbed a torch before heading into the dark basement."
"Remember to pack a spare battery for the torch before we go camping."
"The power cut left us searching the drawers for a working torch."
verb
1
To deliberately set fire to something, especially as an act of arson.
"Investigators believe someone torched the warehouse for the insurance money."
"Rioters torched several cars outside the stadium."
"The fire service said the abandoned shed had been torched by vandals overnight."
How to use torch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA handheld light (UK) or flaming stick (US); as a verb, to set fire to something on purpose.
UK vs US
In the UK, "torch" usually means a battery-powered flashlight; in the US, "torch" implies actual fire, and Americans say "flashlight" for the battery device.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
shine a torch
torch a building
carry the torch
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- torches
- Past tense
- torched
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She grabbed a _____ before heading into the dark basement.
Etymology
From Old French torche, probably from a Latin word for a twisted bundle of straw or fibre soaked in pitch and set alight.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for torch
See all rhymes for torch →Frequently asked questions
What does “torch” mean?
The word “torch” means a small portable light powered by a battery (British usage); in American English, a stick with a flaming end used as a light source. In plain terms, a handheld light (UK) or flaming stick (US); as a verb, to set fire to something on purpose.
How do you pronounce “torch”?
“Torch” is pronounced TAWCH (/ˈtoɹt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “torch” in a sentence?
Here is “torch” used in a sentence: “She grabbed a torch before heading into the dark basement.”
What part of speech is “torch”?
Depending on how it is used, “torch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “torch” come from?
The word “torch” comes from Latin. From Old French torche, probably from a Latin word for a twisted bundle of straw or fibre soaked in pitch and set alight.
Is “torch” a common word?
“Torch” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “torch” have?
“Torch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small portable light powered by a battery (British usage); in American English, a stick with a flaming end used as a light source.
What is the difference between a torch and a flashlight?
In British English, "torch" refers to a small portable battery-powered light — exactly what American English calls a "flashlight." In American English, "torch" instead means a stick with a flaming end used for light, so British and American speakers picture completely different objects when they hear the word.
What does it mean to torch something?
As a verb, "torch" means to deliberately set fire to something, especially as an act of arson. It is used for intentional, often criminal or destructive burning, such as torching a building or a vehicle, rather than for accidental fires.
Is "torch" used the same way in the UK and the US?
No. In the UK, a torch is a handheld battery light you'd carry on a walk, while in the US the same word suggests an open flame on a stick, closer to what the British might call a "flaming torch." Both regions share the verb meaning, to deliberately burn something.
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