Burn Meaning
Burn Definition & Usage
To ignite or cause something to catch fire and burn.
Examples
- "The wood burned quickly in the campfire."
- "She accidentally burned the toast while making breakfast."
- "The fire had burned for hours before the firefighters arrived."
- "The house burned to the ground in the early morning hours."
- "He burned his hand while trying to touch the hot pot."
To feel intense emotional pain, often related to anger, passion, or regret.
Examples
- "Her heart burned with jealousy as she watched him walk away with someone else."
- "He burned with shame after forgetting his anniversary."
- "The words from his boss burned in his ears, leaving him unsettled."
- "She burned with desire as she watched the sunset, feeling both awe and longing."
- "He couldn't help but burn with anger when he saw the injustice happening."
To cause damage to something, especially by prolonged exposure to high heat or intense friction.
Examples
- "The sun burned her skin after hours of sunbathing without sunscreen."
- "He burned the tires when performing a dangerous stunt on his motorcycle."
- "She accidentally burned the carpet with her curling iron."
- "The chemical reaction caused the metal to burn and corrode."
- "The hot metal burned through the fabric before anyone could stop it."
To destroy or use up something quickly, often metaphorically.
Examples
- "He burned through all his savings in a matter of months."
- "The excitement of the adventure burned away their fatigue."
- "She burned through three books in a single weekend."
- "They burned through the entire budget just on decorations for the event."
- "The wildfire burned through acres of land in just a few hours."
An injury caused by exposure to fire, heat, or chemicals, resulting in tissue damage.
Examples
- "He suffered third-degree burns on his arm after the accident."
- "The victim had serious burns on her legs after the fire broke out."
- "She had a burn from touching the hot stove without oven mitts."
- "He was rushed to the hospital for burn treatment after the explosion."
- "Burns from the chemicals left permanent scars on his hands."
Cultural Context
The word 'burn' originates from the Old English term 'beornan,' which refers to the act of combustion or producing flames. It has been used across cultures to symbolize destruction, passion, and purification. Fire holds significant symbolic meaning in many cultures, often representing transformation, renewal, and danger.
The Fire That Changed Everything
Story
The Fire That Changed Everything
Sarah had always been a passionate person. Her emotions ran high, whether it was her excitement for a new project or the fierce anger she felt at the injustice in the world. One evening, she stood in front of her fireplace, watching the flames burn brightly. As the fire crackled, she couldn't help but think about the argument she'd had earlier that day with her brother. Their words had burned in her mind ever since, leaving a scar that was hard to heal. But as she stared into the fire, a thought struck her—fire could both destroy and renew. The next morning, Sarah decided to burn the letter. It was a letter from her late grandmother that she'd kept for years, full of love but also painful memories. She carefully set it aflame in the fireplace, watching as the paper curled and blackened. For a moment, she felt the loss burn her heart, but she also felt a sense of release. The fire consumed the old wounds, leaving behind nothing but the glow of the present. Later that week, Sarah and her brother made up. They'd both burned with regret over their harsh words, but now they were ready to rebuild the bridge they'd nearly destroyed. The fire had not only cleansed her soul but also brought clarity to their relationship. It was a reminder that while fire could burn, it could also purify. As she sat by the fire again, reflecting on how far she'd come, Sarah smiled. Sometimes, you had to burn things in order to make room for something better.
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