singe

American  

[sinj] / sɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

singed, singeing

1. to burn superficially or slightly; scorch.

   Synonyms:

   char

2. to burn the ends, projections, nap, or the like, of (hair, cloth, etc.).

3. to subject (the carcass of an animal or bird) to flame in order to remove hair, bristles, feathers, etc.

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noun

1. a superficial burn.

2. the act of singeing.

singe British  

/ sɪndʒ /

verb

1. to burn or be burnt superficially; scorch

   to singe one's clothes

2. (tr) to burn the ends of (hair, etc)

3. (tr) to expose (a carcass) to flame to remove bristles or hair

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noun

1. a superficial burn

Related Words

See burn ¹.

Other Word Forms

• singeingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of singe

First recorded before 1000; Middle English sengen (verb), Old English sencgan; cognate with Dutch zengen, German sengen; akin to Old Norse sangr “singed, burnt”

Example Sentences

He reverted to all fours and bounded across the room, dodging the flames, yipping as a hungry blaze singed his beautiful snow-sky tail.

From Literature

Hales exited the home alone, and when she tried to go back inside, she was met with such intense heat and smoke that it singed her eyes, her brother Scott Nadler told KTLA.

From Los Angeles Times

The shrieking brakes set, and live steam singed our bare feet.

From Literature

He pointed out the singed books the blast had catapulted into the street.

From Los Angeles Times

On fire, the car skidded across the patio and over the slate walk, singeing the grass as it wheeled and bounced across the yard.

From Literature