Scorched: meaning, definitions and examples

Scorched describes something that has been burned superficially, often referring to plants, food, or earth. It implies a dry, parched effect caused by heat.

• The fields were scorched by the summer sun.
• She accidentally left the iron on the shirt, and now it's scorched.

Burn is a general term for damage caused by heat or fire. It can refer to anything from cooking accidents to injuries to buildings.

• Be careful not to burn yourself on the stove.
• The wildfire burned through the forest, leaving nothing but ashes.

Char describes something that has been burned until it is black and carbonized. It often conveys a completely burned or blackened state.

• He likes his steak charred on the outside but medium-rare inside.
• The remains of the old barn were charred and barely recognizable.

Sear is used to describe the process of quickly burning the surface of something with intense heat, often in cooking to lock in flavors.

• Sear the meat on both sides before putting it in the oven.
• The chef seared the tuna to give it a perfect crust.

Singe describes light burning or scorching that affects the surface of something, usually without destroying it. It implies minimal damage.

• He singed his eyebrows while lighting the barbecue.
• The cuffs of her dress were slightly singed by the campfire.

Used to describe something that has been burned or singed by heat or fire, often leaving blackened or charred marks.

• The grass was scorched after the wildfire
• The paper was scorched by the candle flame

Describes extreme dryness, often used to describe thirst or dry land.

• After the long hike, he felt parched and needed water
• The parched earth cracked under the intense heat

Typically used to describe a very dry climate or environment with little to no rainfall.

• The arid desert landscape stretched for miles
• Farming is challenging in such an arid region

Indicates something that has been thoroughly dried out, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

• The desiccated soil was unfit for planting
• The botanist examined the desiccated plant specimens

Commonly used to describe something that has been cooked in an oven, but in other contexts, it can describe something extremely heated by the sun or hot environment.

• The cookies were perfectly baked
• The pavement was baked by the intense summer sun