burn

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.

“Running helps you burn calories and stay healthy.”

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

A2 · Elementary Countable noun 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.

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

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

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal · Slang

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

n. a particularly effective or stinging insult or retort.

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

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

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Dialect

n. a small river or a large stream.

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

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

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