sear
/sɪə/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To burn the surface of something very quickly with high heat. It usually makes a brown crust and keeps the inside juicy.
- Sear the meat in a hot pan.
- The chef seared the salmon for two minutes.
- 2.
To hurt someone deeply, especially with strong feelings, bad news, or painful memories.
- The news seared him with grief.
- That memory still sears my mind.
adjective
Very hot and dry, or burning strongly.
- A sear wind blew across the field.
- The desert air felt sear and harsh.
Adinary Nuance
Sear is stronger and more exact than burn. Use sear when the heat is brief and intense, especially in cooking or vivid emotional writing. For everyday speech, people often say burn unless they want a sharper, more vivid word. It is also more forceful than toast, which is usually lighter and less intense.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- áp chảo
- Spanish
- sellar
- Chinese
- 煎封
- Japanese
- 焼きつける
- Korean
- 지지다
Etymology
Sear comes from Old English and has been in use since before the 12th century. It is related to old Germanic words for burning or drying with heat.
Common phrases
sear the meatsear in a pansear with painsearing heat
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between sear and burn?
- Sear means to burn the surface quickly with strong heat. Burn is broader and can mean any damage from fire or heat.
- Is sear common in cooking?
- Yes. It is very common in recipes and chef speech.
- Can sear describe feelings?
- Yes. Writers use it for strong emotional pain or shock.
- Is sear formal or informal?
- It is neutral, but it sounds more literary or technical than burn.