scorch
C1Neutral to formal, but can be informal in the 'speed' sense.
Definition
Meaning
to burn the surface of something with sudden, high heat, damaging or discolouring it without destroying it completely.
To severely criticize or rebuke someone. To move at very high speed (informal). To subject (plants) to conditions that cause browning and shrivelling.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a dry, surface-level burn, distinct from deeper burning ('char') or complete incineration ('incinerate'). Often involves discolouration (brown/yellow).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all primary senses. The idiom 'scorch marks' is equally common. The informal 'to scorch along' (to drive fast) may be slightly more BrE.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (The sun scorched.)[VN] (The iron scorched the fabric.)[VN-ADJ] (The heat scorched the grass brown.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “scorch the earth (policy)”
- “scorching hot (weather)”
- “scorch marks”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially in 'scorched earth policy' (aggressive anti-takeover tactic).
Academic
In environmental/agricultural science (e.g., 'drought-scorched crops'), historical descriptions.
Everyday
Cooking accidents, ironing clothes, hot weather, gardening (burnt plants).
Technical
Fire safety reports, forensic analysis (scorch patterns).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Be careful not to scorch the tablecloth with that hot pan.
- The motorbike scorched down the country lane.
American English
- I scorched my favorite shirt while ironing it.
- The sun scorched the fields during the drought.
adverb
British English
- The summer has been scorching hot.
- The review was scorchingly negative.
American English
- It was a scorching bright afternoon.
- She writes scorchingly about political hypocrisy.
adjective
British English
- We're in for another scorching day, according to the forecast.
- He faced a scorching critique from the panel.
American English
- They hiked across the scorching desert sands.
- The article contained a scorching indictment of the policy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The toast is scorched.
- The sun is very hot today. It is scorching!
- I accidentally scorched my new shirt with the iron.
- The grass was scorched brown after the long, hot summer.
- Forensic experts examined the scorch marks to determine the fire's origin.
- The critic's scorching review devastated the young playwright.
- The company adopted a scorched-earth policy, selling off assets to make itself unattractive to the hostile takeover bid.
- Decades of scorching summers have permanently altered the ecosystem of the region.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SCORCH = Sizzling COals Rapidly Char Here.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSE HEAT IS DAMAGING FORCE; CRITICISM IS FIRE ('He was scorched by her review').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'score' (забивать гол, партитура). 'Scorch' is closer to 'обжечь поверхность', 'опалить', 'подпалить'. Avoid using for deep burning ('сжечь дотла').
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *The house was scorched to the ground. (Use 'burned'). Correct: The curtains were scorched by the candle flame.
- Confusing 'scorching' (adj.) with 'scorched' (past participle) as an adjective. 'Scorching' describes the agent (scorching sun), 'scorched' the result (scorched earth).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'scorch'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Scorch' implies superficial burning/discolouring (often brown/yellow). 'Burn' is general and can be any degree. 'Char' implies turning to black carbon/coal, a deeper burn than scorch.
No, it's often used metaphorically for severe criticism (a scorching remark) or intense speed (scorching pace).
It is neutral. It's appropriate in both everyday and formal contexts (e.g., technical reports, academic writing), except for the informal 'drive fast' sense.
Originally a military strategy of destroying anything useful to the enemy (crops, infrastructure). Now used metaphorically in business/politics for aggressively destructive tactics to thwart an opponent, often harming oneself in the process.