singe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, technical
Quick answer
What does “singe” mean?
to burn the surface or ends of something slightly, often removing hair, fibres, or feathers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to burn the surface or ends of something slightly, often removing hair, fibres, or feathers.
To superficially damage or scorch; to experience a minor burn or scorching effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical; 'singe' is slightly more common in culinary/technical British contexts.
Connotations
Both associate it with minor, controlled burning, often with a purpose (e.g., singeing fabric to remove fluff).
Frequency
Low-frequency in both dialects; appears more often in written technical manuals or historical/craft texts.
Grammar
How to Use “singe” in a Sentence
[someone] singes [something][something] gets singedsinge [something] offVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chef will singe the pin feathers from the quail before roasting.
- Mind you don't singe the document with that candle.
American English
- He singed the loose threads off his new jeans with a lighter.
- The heat from the exhaust pipe singed the grass.
adjective
British English
- The singed edges of the parchment suggested it had been near a flame.
- He smelled of singed hair after the chemistry experiment.
American English
- She tossed the singed toast into the bin.
- The singed fabric had a brownish, crispy border.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in textile quality control (e.g., 'singeing fabric to remove pilling').
Academic
Found in historical, anthropological, or craft studies describing traditional methods.
Everyday
Describing minor cooking or fire mishaps (e.g., 'I singed my sleeve on the cooker').
Technical
Used in textile manufacturing, metalworking (deburring), and food processing (poultry preparation).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singe”
- Confusing 'singe' with 'sing' in spelling/pronunciation; using 'burn' when implying minor, superficial damage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Singe' often implies a deliberate, light burning to remove something (e.g., hairs), while 'scorch' implies accidental, discolouring heat damage, often over a larger area.
Yes, though less common. A 'singe' is a slight burn or scorch mark (e.g., 'There's a singe on the tablecloth').
No, they are false cognates. 'Singe' comes from Old English 'sengan' (to burn), while 'sing' comes from 'singan' (to make musical sounds).
In textile manufacturing to remove protruding fibres from fabric, in metalworking to remove burrs, and in some food preparation (e.g., singeing poultry skin).
to burn the surface or ends of something slightly, often removing hair, fibres, or feathers.
Singe is usually formal, technical in register.
Singe: in British English it is pronounced /sɪndʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪndʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “singe one's wings (to suffer a minor setback or consequence from a risky venture)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SINGER (sounds like 'singe') accidentally holding a candle too close and getting their hair slightly BURNT.
Conceptual Metaphor
DAMAGE IS FIRE (minor, controlled instance).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of the verb 'singe'?