blowtorch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, informal
Quick answer
What does “blowtorch” mean?
A portable gas burner that produces a very hot, focused flame, used for tasks like soldering, brazing, or melting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A portable gas burner that produces a very hot, focused flame, used for tasks like soldering, brazing, or melting.
A tool or person characterized by intense, focused power, aggression, or criticism. Also refers to the character trait of being incisive or harshly direct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in usage. There is a minor potential for alternative naming like 'blowlamp' in UK technical contexts, but 'blowtorch' is overwhelmingly standard in both.
Connotations
Identical; evokes craftsmanship, construction, or destructive power.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “blowtorch” in a Sentence
[V] blowtorch + [object] (He blowtorched the joint.)[N] blowtorch + [of + abstract noun] (a blowtorch of criticism)[N] [possessive] + blowtorch (the chef's blowtorch)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blowtorch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You'll need to blowtorch the old paint off carefully.
- He blowtorched the lock until it melted.
American English
- The mechanic blowtorched the rusted bolt free.
- They had to blowtorch the ice dam on the roof.
adverb
British English
- N/A - Extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- N/A - Extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The blowtorch technique requires a steady hand.
- He has a blowtorch intensity about him.
American English
- A blowtorch approach to management often backfires.
- Her blowtorch interrogation left no room for evasion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; metaphor for aggressive cost-cutting or intense scrutiny. 'The new CEO applied a blowtorch to the underperforming division.'
Academic
Very rare; may appear in engineering or materials science texts.
Everyday
Common for DIY, cooking (crème brûlée), or as a metaphor for harsh criticism. 'He faced a blowtorch of media questioning.'
Technical
Common in welding, metalwork, plumbing, and culinary arts contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blowtorch”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blowtorch”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blowtorch”
- Confusing with 'blow dryer' (для волос).
- Using as a verb too freely outside of technical/metaphorical contexts.
- Misspelling as two words ('blow torch').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word: 'blowtorch'.
Yes, it can be used informally as a verb meaning 'to use a blowtorch on something' (e.g., 'He blowtorched the surface').
A blowtorch uses a hot, open flame for high-temperature tasks like brazing or melting metal. A soldering iron uses a heated tip for lower-temperature tasks like joining electronic components with solder.
It is commonly used to describe intense, aggressive, and focused criticism or interrogation, as in 'facing the blowtorch of public opinion'.
A portable gas burner that produces a very hot, focused flame, used for tasks like soldering, brazing, or melting.
Blowtorch is usually technical, informal in register.
Blowtorch: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbləʊtɔːtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbloʊtɔːrtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blowtorch and pliers (a crude or aggressive approach)”
- “apply a blowtorch to (to investigate or attack with great intensity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
It's a TORCH that needs you to BLOW air into it to make the flame hot. Think: 'BLOW' makes the TORCH hot.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS HEAT / CRITICISM IS FIRE / A FORCEFUL PERSON IS A TOOL.
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, what does 'a blowtorch' most likely refer to?