# Sears

/ˈsɪɹz/ (US) · /sˈiəz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sears
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. burning pain

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to cause a sudden, very strong feeling of burning or pain.

For teachers: to cause a sudden, intense, and localised burning sensation, either physically or metaphorically.

- The cold wind sears his face as he walks through the winter storm.
- The memory of the betrayal still sears his mind whenever he visits the old neighbourhood where they once lived.

Usage: Often used in the active voice to describe how a sensation affects a person.

## Examples

- The chef sears the steak over a high flame.
- To get the best flavor, you should sears the roast in a hot pan before putting it in the oven.
- The intense heat sears the exterior of the tuna almost instantly, creating a crisp crust while leaving the center perfectly rare and tender.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.