scorch
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to affect the color, taste, etc., of by burning slightly.
The collar of the shirt was yellow where the iron had scorched it.
-
to parch or shrivel with heat.
The sun scorched the grass.
-
to criticize severely.
- Antonyms:
- laud
-
Machinery. burn.
-
to destroy (crops, towns, etc.) by or as if by fire in the path of an invading army's advance.
verb (used without object)
-
to become scorched.
Milk scorches easily.
-
Informal. to travel or drive at high speed.
The car scorched along the highway.
noun
verb
-
to burn or become burnt, so as to affect the colour, taste, etc, or to cause or feel pain
-
to wither or parch or cause to wither from exposure to heat
-
informal (intr) to be very hot
it is scorching outside
-
informal (tr) to criticize harshly
-
slang (intr) to drive or ride very fast
noun
-
a slight burn
-
a mark caused by the application of too great heat
-
horticulture a mark or series of marks on fruit, vegetables, etc, caused by pests or insecticides
Synonym Usage
See burn 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has scorchedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have scorchedperfect
-
am scorchingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are scorchingprogressive
-
have been scorchingperfect progressive
-
has been scorchingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
scorchessingular 3rd person
-
scorchingparticiple
-
is scorchingprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had scorchedperfect
-
had been scorchingperfect progressive
-
were scorchingprogressive plural
-
was scorchingprogressive singular
-
scorchedsimple
-
scorchedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of scorch
1400–50; late Middle English scorchen, perhaps blend of scorcnen (< Scandinavian; compare Old Norse skorpna to shrivel) and torch 1
Explanation
To scorch is to burn something fiercely, to the point where its surface — your face, prairie grass, a steak on the grill — chars or otherwise changes color. Although scorch usually refers to burning something (whether it's the sun or a blowtorch doing the burning), that's not always the case. An army can scorch an enemy territory — meaning raze everything in sight, without technically setting it on fire. Scorch can also mean to quickly overpower something or somebody, as in: "We're gonna scorch the other team tomorrow."
Vocabulary lists containing scorch
The Sweltering Words of Summer
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Term-ometer: Synonyms for "Hot"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The difference between the torch and the scorch is key to this whole thing of regeneration,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
Footage filmed shortly afterwards showed heavy damage to the building, with scorch marks visible on the walls and smoke slowly rising from the exterior.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
“In a physical attack, you can crash into drones, trap them in a net or scorch them with a laser,” said Andres Gomez, an electronics engineer at Aeronautical Industry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025
All eyes then turned on the final racer, the 25-year-old Braathen keeping his calm to scorch through to a historic victory for his adopted homeland.
From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025
The look was like the scorch of lightning.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
