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burning

adjective
burn·​ing | \ ˈbər-niŋ How to pronounce burning (audio) \

Definition of burning

1a : being on fire
b : ardent, intense burning enthusiasm
2a : affecting with or as if with heat a burning fever
b : resembling that produced by a burn a burning sensation on the tongue
3 : of fundamental importance : urgent one of the burning issues of our time
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Other Words from burning

burningly \ ˈbər-​niŋ-​lē How to pronounce burningly (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms for burning

Synonyms

ablaze, afire, aflame, alight [chiefly British], blazing, combusting, conflagrant, fiery, flaming, ignited, inflamed (also enflamed), kindled, lit (or lighted)

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Examples of burning in a Sentence

She stared at the burning embers for a long time. a burning hatred of corruption
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Thankfully, the series peppers the answers to our most burning questions — what happened at homecoming? — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "The Timeline You Need To Understand 13 Reasons Why Season 3," 24 Aug. 2019 The company was fined $14,000 for violations related to the burning deaths of Charles Kovar and Kenny Morris. — Christopher Leonard, ProPublica, "Rising Profits, Rising Injuries: The Safety Crisis at Koch Industries’ Georgia-Pacific," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'burning.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of burning

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for burning

burning

adjective
How to pronounce burning (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of burning

: on fire : producing or having a flame
: very strong
: very hot

See the full definition for burning in the English Language Learners Dictionary

burning

adjective
burn·​ing | \ ˈbər-niŋ How to pronounce burning (audio) \

Medical Definition of burning

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : affecting with or as if with heat a burning fever
2 : resembling that produced by a burn a burning sensation on the tongue

burning

noun

Medical Definition of burning (Entry 2 of 2)

: a sensation of being on fire or excessively heated gastric burning

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More from Merriam-Webster on burning

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for burning

Nglish: Translation of burning for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of burning for Arabic Speakers

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