B2 adjective Neutral

burn

/bɜːrnt/

Describes something that has been damaged, blackened, or consumed by fire, extreme heat, or chemicals. It can also metaphorically describe a person who is extremely exhausted or someone who has suffered a loss in a deal or relationship.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The smell of burnt toast lingered in the kitchen for hours.

The smell of burnt toast lingered in the kitchen for hours.

2

Evidence from the burnt documents suggests that the fire was started intentionally to hide financial discrepancies.

Evidence from the burnt documents suggests that the fire was started intentionally to hide financial discrepancies.

3

I'm totally burnt after that double shift; I don't think I can go out tonight.

I'm totally burnt after that double shift; I don't think I can go out tonight.

Word Family

Noun
burn
Verb
burn
Adverb
burningly
Adjective
burnt
Related
burner
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Memory Tip

Visualize the letter 'T' at the end of 'burnt' as looking like a charred, upright stick left after a fire.

Quick Quiz

After three weeks of working overtime without a break, Sarah felt completely ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: burnt out

Examples

1

The smell of burnt toast lingered in the kitchen for hours.

everyday

The smell of burnt toast lingered in the kitchen for hours.

2

Evidence from the burnt documents suggests that the fire was started intentionally to hide financial discrepancies.

formal

Evidence from the burnt documents suggests that the fire was started intentionally to hide financial discrepancies.

3

I'm totally burnt after that double shift; I don't think I can go out tonight.

informal

I'm totally burnt after that double shift; I don't think I can go out tonight.

4

The burnt organic matter in the soil samples indicates a high frequency of wildfires during the Neolithic period.

academic

The burnt organic matter in the soil samples indicates a high frequency of wildfires during the Neolithic period.

5

The company was badly burnt by its previous investment in the unstable tech sector.

business

The company was badly burnt by its previous investment in the unstable tech sector.

Word Family

Noun
burn
Verb
burn
Adverb
burningly
Adjective
burnt
Related
burner

Common Collocations

burnt orange burnt orange (a dark, reddish-orange color)
burnt sugar burnt sugar
burnt out exhausted / depleted
burnt toast burnt toast
burnt remains burnt remains

Common Phrases

burnt to a crisp

completely blackened or overcooked

once bitten, twice shy (burnt)

being cautious after a bad experience

burnt to the ground

completely destroyed by fire

Often Confused With

burn vs burned

'Burned' is the standard past tense verb in American English, while 'burnt' is more frequently used as the adjective form in both British and American English.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'burned' and 'burnt' can both be adjectives, 'burnt' is more traditional for describing the state of an object (e.g., burnt toast). Use 'burnt out' specifically to describe professional or emotional exhaustion.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the base noun 'burn' as an adjective (e.g., 'the burn bread') instead of using the participle form 'burnt'.

💡

Memory Tip

Visualize the letter 'T' at the end of 'burnt' as looking like a charred, upright stick left after a fire.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English 'byrnan' (to be on fire) and 'bærnan' (to set on fire), merging into the modern English forms.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an attributive adjective before a noun (e.g., burnt wood). Used as a predicative adjective after a linking verb (e.g., the dinner is burnt).
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Cultural Context

In American BBQ culture, 'burnt ends' are a highly sought-after delicacy consisting of the flavorful, charred edges of a brisket.

Quick Quiz

After three weeks of working overtime without a break, Sarah felt completely ______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: burnt out

Related Phrases

Related Words

exarchness

C1

The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.

perihumer

C1

A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.

microfluship

C1

A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.

antiponness

C1

The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.

forenumerary

C1

Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.

detangite

C1

To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.

unitangine

C1

Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.

enjectment

C1

Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.

invertite

C1

Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.

malteghood

C1

Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.

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