scorching

[skawr-ching]

adjective

1. burning; very hot.

2. caustic or scathing.

   a scorching denunciation.

Other Word Forms

• scorchingly adverb
• unscorching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scorching¹

First recorded in 1555–65; scorch + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Playing in the desert during the scorching summer months had been a tough sell.

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This summer has been one of the stickiest ever across the East Coast, according to a new metric, and with scorching temperatures this week, it isn’t done yet.

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The air-conditioning - built for Russian winters - was barely adequate in scorching Indian summers.

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On a scorchingly hot day in the American Midwest, Tim Maxwell is voicing his fears about the future of farming.

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It is no surprise that the hottest areas will affect desert teams the Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, with Florida's Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers also offering scorching summers and mild winters.

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Related Words

• blistering 
• fiery 
• searing 
• sizzling 
• sweltering