Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for sear. Search instead for selar.
Synonyms

sear

1 American  
[seer] / sɪər /

verb (used with object)

  1. to burn or char the surface of.

    She seared the steak to seal in the juices.

  2. to mark with a branding iron.

  3. to burn or scorch injuriously or painfully.

    He seared his hand on a hot steam pipe.

  4. to harden or scar emotionally.

    The traumatic experiences of her youth have permanently seared her.

  5. to dry up or wither; parch.

verb (used without object)

  1. to become dry or withered, as vegetation.

noun

  1. a mark or scar made by searing.

adjective

  1. sere.

sear 2 American  
[seer] / sɪər /

noun

  1. a pivoted piece that holds the hammer at full cock or half cock in the firing mechanism of small arms.

sear 1 British  
/ sɪə /

verb

  1. to scorch or burn the surface of

  2. to brand with a hot iron

  3. to cause to wither or dry up

  4. rare to make callous or unfeeling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a mark caused by searing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. poetic dried up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
sear 2 British  
/ sɪə /

noun

  1. the catch in the lock of a small firearm that holds the hammer or firing pin cocked

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See burn 1.

Other Word Forms

  • unseared adjective

Etymology

Origin of sear1

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective ser(e), Old English sēar; cognate with Dutch zoor; the verb is derivative of the adjective

Origin of sear2

First recorded in 1550–60; from Middle French serre “a grip,” derivative of serrer “to lock up, close,” ultimately from Late Latin serāre “to bar (a door)”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I can still put your sear marks on your steak or burger with an infrared grill that’s fully electric,” said Langerud.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

The chef seems to enjoy using the torch, often pulling it out to sear the nigiri.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

The subtle highs and lows create ridges, which sear, and recessed pockets that promote airflow and deter sticking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

While even induction cooking can cause air pollution—anything you sear enough to smell delicious, for example, is probably releasing unhealthy particulate matter—I don’t worry about that too much with the induction burner.

From Slate • Apr. 7, 2024

She tried to sear that beautiful sight on her memory as a shield to the ugliness that she now knew was about to happen.

From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.