charred
/tʃɑːd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Charred means burned on the outside, often until black. It is usually used for food, wood, or surfaces after strong heat.
- The toast was charred at the edges.
- We found charred wood after the fire.
- The vegetables looked charred but tasted good.
Adinary Nuance
Charred is stronger than "browned" and usually suggests black, burnt parts. It is less general than "burned," because it often describes the blackened surface after heat. Writers choose "charred" when the burning is visible and damaged, but not completely destroyed.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cháy xém
- Spanish
- chamuscado
- Chinese
- 烧焦的
- Japanese
- 焦げた
- Korean
- 그을린
Etymology
Charred comes from the verb char, which meant to burn slightly. It entered English from Old English roots related to turning or burning.
Common phrases
charred remainscharred edgescharred woodcharred flesh
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is charred the same as burned?
- Not exactly. Charred usually means partly burned and blackened on the outside.
- Can I use charred for food?
- Yes. People often say charred vegetables, charred toast, or charred meat.
- Is charred a formal word?
- It is neutral and common in writing, news, and everyday speech.