burn

verb

\ ˈbərn

burned\ ˈbərnd

, ˈbərnt \ or burnt\ ˈbərnt

\; burning

Definition of burn

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : to consume fuel and give off heat, light, and gases a small fire burns on the hearth

b : to undergo combustion also : to undergo nuclear fission or nuclear fusion

c : to contain a fire a little stove burning in the corner

d : to give off light : shine, glow a light burning in the window

2a : to be hot the burning sand

b : to produce or undergo discomfort or pain ears burning from the cold

c : to become emotionally excited or agitated: such as

(1) : to yearn ardently burning to tell the story

(2) : to be or become very angry or disgusted the remark made him burn

3a : to undergo alteration or destruction by the action of fire or heat the house burned down the potatoes burned to a crisp

b : to die in the electric chair

4 : to force or make a way by or as if by burning her words burned into his heart

5 : to suffer sunburn she burns easily

1a : to cause to undergo combustion especially : to destroy by fire burned the trash

b : to use as fuel this furnace burns gas

c : to use up : consume burn calories

2a : to transform by exposure to heat or fire burn clay to bricks

b : to produce by burning burned a hole in his sleeve

c : to record digital data or music on (an optical disk) using a laser burn a CD also : to record (data or music) in this way burn songs onto a disk

3a : to injure or damage by or as if by exposure to fire, heat, or radiation : scorch burned his hand

b : to execute by burning burned heretics at the stake also : electrocute

4a : irritate, annoy —often used with up really burns me up

b : to subject to misfortune, mistreatment, or deception —often used in passive has been burned in love

c : to beat or score on burned the defense with a touchdown pass

burn one's bridges or less commonly burn one's boats

: to cut off all means of retreat

burn one's ears

: to rebuke strongly

burn the candle at both ends

: to use one's resources or energies to excess

burn the midnight oil

: to work or study far into the night