burner

American  

[bur-ner] / ˈbɜr nər /

noun

1. a person or thing that burns. burn.

2. that part of a gas fixture, lamp, etc., from which flame issues or in which it is produced.

3. any apparatus or receptacle in which fuel or refuse is burned. burn.

4. Informal. burner phone.

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adjective

1. temporary or disposable, often used to remain anonymous: a burner digital identity.

   burner email accounts;

   a burner digital identity.

burner British  

/ ˈbɜːnə /

noun

1. the part of a stove, lamp, etc, that produces flame or heat

2. an apparatus for burning something, as fuel or refuse

   an oil burner

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Etymology

Origin of burner

First recorded in 1350–1400, burner is from the Middle English word brenner. See burn ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

In a Los Angeles County jewelry heist, investigators last year linked a burner phone from a traffic accident to the heist location and to other crimes.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Combining SpaceX and Tesla was also reportedly floated by Musk and his executives — but that could be put on the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 2, 2026

The results highlight the tough road ahead for Tesla as Musk tries to turn the focus to the company’s artificial intelligence and robotics strategies, putting the electric vehicle business on the back burner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Adjusting to post-Traitors fame can be difficult to manage, but one star of the show admitted the police were called after she tried to buy a burner phone to help manage her social media.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

He connected the hose from the tank and held the little potmetal burner up in his hand, small and lightweight.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Related Words

• heater
• lamp