Burning: meaning, definitions and examples

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burning

[ ˈbərnɪŋ ]

Adjective / Noun

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or emotion

Burning refers to a feeling of intense heat or emotion, usually associated with passion, anger, or desire. It can be a physical sensation of extreme heat, or an emotional state of strong intensity.

Synonyms

fiery, intense, passionate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
burning	Often used literally to describe something that is on fire, but can also be metaphorical to indicate something very urgent or strong, such as a desire or question. The building is burning! She had a burning desire to succeed. He felt a burning need to speak the truth.
intense	Used to describe something very strong, powerful, or having a high degree of energy or feeling. Can relate to emotions, actions, or experiences. The debate became very intense. She felt an intense pain in her leg. His gaze was intense, making her feel nervous.
fiery	Usually describes something literally on fire or something characterized by intense heat. Can also refer to a person with a very passionate, intense, or quick-tempered nature. The log was thrown into the fiery furnace. He gave a fiery speech. She has a fiery personality.
passionate	Usually refers to having or showing strong feelings or a strong belief in something. Often associated with emotions like love, anger, or enthusiasm. They shared a passionate kiss. She was passionate about her work. He is a passionate advocate for animal rights.

Examples of usage

She felt a burning desire to succeed in her career.
His burning anger was evident in his words and actions.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

on fire

Burning can also mean being on fire or in flames. It describes something that is actively on fire and producing flames.

Synonyms

ablaze, flaming, on fire.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
burning	Used to describe something that is actively being consumed by fire or to describe a strong sensation, emotion, or desire. The house is burning down! She had a burning desire to succeed.
ablaze	Typically used to describe something that is fully engulfed in flames or glowing with bright light or color. It often carries a dramatic tone. The entire forest was ablaze after the lightning strike. The sky was ablaze with the colors of the sunset.
flaming	Used to describe the presence of large flames. Can be used negatively when describing someone's temper or language. The campfire was flaming brightly. He sent a flaming email in response to the criticism.
on fire	Typically used to describe something that is currently burning or to metaphorically describe someone who is performing exceptionally well. Can also be used negatively in some contexts. The car was on fire after the collision. He's been on fire this season, scoring in every game.

Examples of usage

The house was burning down, and the firefighters rushed to the scene.
The burning logs crackled in the fireplace.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

physical sensation

As a noun, burning can refer to a physical sensation of heat or pain. It can describe the feeling of warmth or discomfort caused by exposure to fire or extreme temperatures.

Synonyms

discomfort, heat, pain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
burning	Feeling intense heat on or inside your body, typically due to exposure to fire, hot objects, or certain chemicals. The burning sensation made her drop the hot pan instantly He felt a burning in his throat after swallowing the spicy food
heat	High temperature or the sensation of warmth, usually due to weather, physical activity, or illness. The summer heat was unbearable He felt the heat radiating from the stove
pain	An unpleasant and often severe sensation in the body that can result from injury, illness, or emotional distress. She had to sit down due to the sharp pain in her knee The loss of his pet caused him considerable pain
discomfort	A general feeling of unease, which can be physical or emotional, and is less intense than pain. She experienced some discomfort in her back after sitting for too long The discussion caused him a lot of discomfort

Examples of usage

The burning in her muscles after a strenuous workout was a sign of a good exercise session.
He felt a burning sensation in his throat after drinking the hot coffee.

Translations

Translations of the word "burning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 queimando

🇮🇳 जलता हुआ

🇩🇪 brennend

🇮🇩 membakar

🇺🇦 палаючий

🇵🇱 płonący

🇯🇵 燃えている (もえている)

🇫🇷 brûlant

🇪🇸 ardiendo

🇹🇷 yakan

🇰🇷 타는 (타는)

🇸🇦 مشتعل

🇨🇿 hořící

🇸🇰 horúci

🇨🇳 燃烧 (ránshāo)

🇸🇮 goreč

🇮🇸 brennandi

🇰🇿 жану

🇬🇪 მწვავე

🇦🇿 yanan

🇲🇽 ardiendo

Etymology

The word 'burning' originates from the Old English word 'byrnan', which means 'to be on fire'. Over time, the meaning of 'burning' has evolved to encompass both physical and emotional aspects related to heat, fire, and intensity.

See also: burn, burner, burnish, burnishing, burnout, burnt.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,812, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2809 substances
2810 applying
2811 personality
2812 burning
2813 fallen
2814 bulk
2815 murder
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