burnt

USAGE SUMMARY

"burnt" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe an object, place, or person as having been singed or scorched by fire. For example, "The burnt building had to be demolished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The wall of fire that burnt Marysville that night was 330ft high.

The Guardian

The car was later found burnt out in the Glendara estate area of the city.

The Guardian

The poor chap did get a very burnt forehead from all the outdoor reporting.

The Guardian

Even after a year of relentless attacks on students – 67 teenage boys were burnt alive in their dorms last year, marking the start of a wave of attacks that has since seen hundreds of pupils killed – Chibok stood out for the sheer scale and cruelty.

The Guardian

Add the onion, garlic, ginger and chilli to the pan along with the spices and salt and fry, stirring vigorously, until well coloured, but not burnt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seven years' weight training burnt off in the three-week adrenalin flow of the job".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Along the district's main road are burnt-out, AK-47-strafed churches and abandoned homes scrawled with child's drawings of bullet-spraying men.

The Guardian

Nearby, on a deserted road, was a burnt-out lorry.

The Guardian

Detectives have sent a burnt-out car that was left a few miles from the victim's home for forensic examination.

The Guardian

In Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), he's a "road warrior", a "burnt-out, desolate man", lost in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

The Guardian - Film

It was the honey-coloured eyes they also shared that Joyce Magdalena recognised last August, when Jandyra was found inside a burnt-out car.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burnt" to vividly describe the state of something affected by fire or extreme heat, adding a sensory dimension to your writing. For example, "the burnt aroma of the coffee filled the air".

Common error

While "burnt" and "burned" are both past participles of "burn", using "burnt" as a verb can sound less formal in American English. Stick to "burned" for verb forms in formal contexts in the US, but "burnt" is acceptable as an adjective.

Linguistic Context

The word "burnt" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has been affected by fire or heat. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys a state of being damaged or altered by burning. Examples include ""burnt" toast" or ""burnt" forests".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Books

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burnt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used word, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily serving as an adjective to describe items damaged by fire or heat. Predominantly found in contexts like News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sport, it maintains a generally neutral register, though can lean toward informal when describing emotional states (e.g., "burnt out"). While interchangeable with "burned" in many contexts, "burnt" carries a slightly more British English connotation. Consider synonyms like "scorched" or "charred" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scorched

Describes a surface that is lightly burned, often changing color without being entirely consumed.

charred

Indicates a more severe burning, resulting in a blackened or carbonized surface.

incinerated

Implies complete destruction by fire, reduced to ashes.

carbonized

Refers to the process of converting organic matter into carbon through burning or heating.

singed

Describes a slight or superficial burning, often affecting only the surface.

on fire

Indicates something is actively burning or ablaze.

ablaze

Similar to "on fire", emphasizing the intensity and extent of the burning.

consumed by fire

Describes something being completely destroyed by flames.

fire-damaged

Used to describe something that has been negatively affected by fire.

reduced to ashes

Indicates complete destruction, leaving only ash residue.

FAQs

How can I use "burnt" in a sentence?

You can use "burnt" as an adjective to describe something that has been damaged by fire or heat. For instance, "The toast was "burnt" to a crisp" or "The forest was "burnt" by the wildfire".

What's the difference between "burnt" and "burned"?

"Burnt" and "burned" are both past participles of the verb "burn". "Burnt" is more common in British English, while "burned" is more common in American English. Both are correct, but context and regional preference may influence your choice.

What are some synonyms for "burnt"?

Synonyms for "burnt" include "scorched", "charred", "incinerated", and "carbonized". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "burnt out"?

Yes, "burnt out" is a common idiom that describes a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. For example, "After years of working long hours, she felt completely burnt out".