English Reference
verb · noun

burn

v. · n.
US /ˈbɝn/ UK /bˈɜːn/ burn

infinitive burn past burned / burnt past participle burned / burnt

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    v.to be on fire or to damage something with fire or heat.

    v.to consume or be consumed by fire; to undergo combustion or cause thermal damage to a surface.

    Simple

    The campfire burned brightly all through the night.

    In context

    The dry timber burned with such intensity that the heat could be felt from several meters away.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.to use up fuel, energy, or money.

    v.to expend or consume resources, such as calories, fuel, or capital, often at a rapid rate.

    Simple

    Running helps you burn calories and stay healthy.

    In context

    The startup was burning through its venture capital so quickly that the board demanded a revised budget.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.to feel a sharp pain or heat in your body, like in your muscles or eyes.

    v.to experience or cause a stinging sensation or a feeling of intense heat.

    Simple

    My eyes started to burn because of the smoke from the grill.

    In context

    After the final set of heavy lifting, his muscles began to burn from the accumulation of lactic acid.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Computing

    v.to record information onto a CD, DVD, or other storage device.

    v.to write data to a permanent storage medium, such as an optical disc or ROM chip.

    Simple

    I need to burn these photos onto a disc to give to my parents.

    In context

    The technician burned the updated firmware onto the system's internal memory during the maintenance window.

  5. 05 A2 Elementary Medicine

    n.an injury on the skin caused by something hot, like fire, steam, or chemicals.

    n.a lesion or tissue damage caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation.

    Simple

    She got a small burn on her finger while she was cooking dinner.

    In context

    The patient suffered a second-degree burn on his forearm after coming into contact with boiling hydraulic fluid.

    scaldlesion
  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalSlang

    n.a clever or funny insult that makes someone feel embarrassed.

    n.a particularly effective or stinging insult or retort.

    Simple

    That was a sick burn you gave him during the debate.

    In context

    The comedian's sharp wit was on full display, delivering one burn after another to the hecklers in the front row.

    insultput downjab
  7. 07 C2 Proficiency British EnglishDialect

    n.a small river or a large stream.

    n.a small river or large brook, typically found in northern regions.

    Simple

    We walked along the burn until we reached the old stone bridge.

    In context

    The clear water of the mountain burn cascaded over the rocks, eventually feeding into the larger loch below.

A mother who killed her baby daughter by burning her with a hairdryer has been jailed for six years.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Meanwhile, the sweat pours down your back and the sky burns white.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated