burnt
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.damaged or destroyed by fire or extreme heat.
adj.damaged, injured, or destroyed by exposure to fire or high temperatures.
Simple“The toast was completely burnt and tasted like charcoal.”
In context“The investigators examined the burnt remains of the warehouse, searching for any evidence that might indicate the fire's origin.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.having skin that is red and painful from too much sun.
adj.suffering from erythema caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Simple“My shoulders are very burnt after spending all day at the beach.”
In context“Despite applying a high-factor sunscreen, the hikers found their necks severely burnt after several hours on the exposed ridge.”
Synonymssunburned - 03 B1 Intermediate
v.the past tense of 'burn', used when something was on fire or used for fuel.
v.the past tense and past participle of 'burn'. This spelling is the standard form in British English, whereas 'burned' is more common in American English.
Simple“He burnt the old letters in the fireplace last night.”
In context“The candles had burnt down to the sockets by the time the guests finally departed the dining hall.”
UsageUsed as both the simple past and the past participle.
PitfallThe fire burned for three hours. (in a British exam) The fire burnt for three hours.While both are correct, 'burnt' is the preferred spelling for the past tense in British English, while 'burned' is standard in American English.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.the black, dry material left after something has been on fire.
n.carbonised material or char resulting from incomplete combustion.
Simple“The bottom of the pan was covered in black burnt that wouldn't come off.”
In context“The surface was coated in a thick layer of burnt, making it difficult for the archaeologists to identify the original timber underneath.”
From burn + -t.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.