to burn slightly

Meanings

1. 1phraseintransitive

   to be damaged a little by fire or heat, usually on the surface only.

   Grammar: No object here; the thing that is damaged is the subject: the toast burned slightly.

   Patterns

   • something burns slightly
   • burn slightly around the edges

   The toast burned slightly because I was not watching it.

   Her arm burned slightly where the sun had caught it.

   The shirt burned slightly when the iron was too hot.

2. 2phrasetransitive

   to damage something a little with fire or heat, usually only on the outside.

   Grammar: Takes an object: burn something slightly.

   Patterns

   • burn something slightly
   • burn something slightly around the edges

   I burned the sauce slightly, but it still tasted fine.

   Be careful not to burn the fabric slightly with the iron.

   She burned the edges of the paper slightly to make it look old.

Common combinations

burn slightly around the edges

The pie burned slightly around the edges.

burn slightly in the oven

The cookies burned slightly in the oven.

burn slightly on one side

The meat burned slightly on one side.

burn something slightly

He burned the rice slightly while talking on the phone.

Synonyms and how they differ

scorch

Scorch is the usual verb when heat damages a surface, often leaving a brown mark; it is more specific than burn slightly.

singe

Singe means to burn the ends or surface of something lightly, especially hair or cloth, and is not used for food.

char

Char means to burn something until it turns black, which is usually more serious than burning slightly.

Word family

burn verb

To damage or be damaged by fire or heat.

burned adjective

Damaged or marked by fire or heat.

Commonly confused: to burn slightly or burn down?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “to burn slightly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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