burn

Entry Word: burn

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to be on fire especially brightly <all evening long we just sat there, contentedly watching the Yule log burn>

Synonyms blaze, combust, flame, glow

Related Words fire, ignite, kindle; flare (up), light (up); flicker, gutter, waver; bake, broil, char, cook, melt, roast, scorch, swelter; smolder, spark, sputter; beam, brighten, radiate; beat (down), flash, glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, scintillate, shimmer, shine, sparkle, twinkle

2 to set (something) on fire <it is not a good idea to try to burn old papers in the sink>

Synonyms fire, ignite, inflame, kindle, light

Related Words char, scorch; bake, cremate, incinerate, kiln; brighten, illumine, illuminate, irradiate, lighten, radiate; scald, scathe, sear; rekindle, relight

Near Antonyms choke, smother, suffocate; stamp (out); blacken, darken, dim, dull, obscure

Antonyms douse, extinguish, put out, quench, snuff (out)

3 to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger <the child came home burning with anger because of a reprimand in class> — see boil 1
4 to shine with a bright harsh light <the streetlight outside our motel burned all night long> — see glare 1

Learn more about "burn"

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