torch

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a long stick with a burning end used as a light source.

n. a wooden pole or brand with a flammable end ignited to provide light or to set fire to something.

“The villagers carried torches to light the path during the festival.”

“The castle guards placed burning torches in iron brackets along the stone corridor to illuminate the entrance for the arriving guests.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a source of light that represents a great idea or leadership.

n. a figurative source of enlightenment, inspiration, or a tradition passed from one person to another.

“The teacher passed the torch of knowledge to her students.”

“The retiring CEO expressed his confidence in the new leadership team as they prepared to take up the torch and guide the firm through the merger.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to intentionally set fire to a building or vehicle.

v. to deliberately set fire to property, often in the context of arson or total destruction.

Español:incendiar

“The old warehouse was torched by vandals over the weekend.”

“The investigators concluded that the restaurant had been torched for insurance money, as they found traces of accelerant in the kitchen area.”

C2 · Proficiency Informal · Slang

v. to say very bad things about someone to ruin their reputation.

v. to severely criticise or disparage someone or something, effectively destroying their credibility or reputation.

“The critic torched the director's new movie in his latest review.”

“The senator's reputation was torched by the leaked documents, leaving him with almost no support from his own party during the election.”