char
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to burn the surface of something until it turns black.
v.to partially burn or carbonize a surface, resulting in a blackened appearance.
Simple“The chef decided to char the peppers over an open flame to give them a smoky flavour.”
In context“The intense heat of the forest fire managed to char the bark of the ancient oaks without killing the trees themselves.”
UsageOften used in culinary contexts to describe a specific technique for adding flavour.
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a very informal British word for tea.
n.an informal British term for tea, derived from the Chinese word 'cha'.
Simple“After a long day of work, all I wanted was a nice cup of char.”
In context“The soldiers sat around the small stove, waiting for the kettle to boil so they could have some char.”
Teacher's tipThis term is somewhat dated and is most commonly heard in older British films or among older generations.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a type of cold-water fish that is related to salmon and trout.
n.any of several species of fish in the genus Salvelinus, closely related to trout and salmon.
Simple“The lake is famous for its Arctic char, which is a popular dish in local restaurants.”
In context“Anglers travel to these remote northern rivers specifically to catch the elusive Arctic char during the summer months.”
UsageOften appears in the compound 'Arctic char'.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a woman who is paid to clean someone's house.
n.a woman employed to perform domestic cleaning tasks; a shortened form of 'charlady'.
Simple“In the old novel, the family hired a char to come in twice a week.”
In context“The grand house required a staff of several servants, including a char for the heavy scrubbing.”
Teacher's tipThis term is now considered old-fashioned and has been largely replaced by 'cleaner'.
Synonyms