What does scorched mean?
Scorched means burned, charred, dried out, or otherwise seriously damaged by excessive heat. It is used especially for surfaces that have been blackened or burned and for vegetation or soil made dry and lifeless by intense sun or fire. The expression “scorched earth” refers to destroying crops, food, buildings, or other resources so that an advancing enemy cannot use them. In figurative contexts, scorched can describe damage to a reputation or the harsh treatment of a person or organization. As a verb, scorched is the past tense and past participle of scorch. The word is vivid and carries strong connotations of destruction and irreversible harm, although it can describe less severe surface burning as well. It remains standard in British and American English and is especially common in descriptions of fire, heat waves, and warfare.
Burned, charred, dried out, or damaged by intense heat.
"The hillside was left black and scorched after the brush fire."
Often used to describe the visible result of burning or extreme heat, and sometimes used figuratively for severe damage.
Burn, char, parch, or damage something by intense heat.
"The sun scorched the crops during the prolonged drought."
The past tense and past participle of scorch.
The phrase “scorched earth” names a brutal strategy: destroy what an advancing enemy might use.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scorched come from?
The word comes through Middle English scorchen, from Old English scorcen, meaning “to parch or burn.” It belongs to a Germanic family of related words associated with drying or burning. The modern form scorched was formed by adding the -ed ending to scorch.
Related word forms
How scorched is actually used
The word is commonly physical and vivid, emphasizing the destructive effects of heat. It can also be used figuratively for severe damage, reputational harm, or harsh criticism. As a verb, it is the past tense and past participle of scorch.
Easily confused with scorched
A scratched surface has been marked or scraped by something sharp, whereas a scorched surface has been burned or damaged by heat.