What does "burning" mean?
The act by which something burns or is burned.
Burning
/ˈbɝnɪŋ/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act by which something burns or is burned.
- Grammar: burning is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: combustion, abandoned, ablaze, ablaze.
- Useful contrasts: soothing tone, cold, cooled.
- Usage evidence: Bridges are burning and chances are few.
How to use "burning"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "burning" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "burning" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "burning" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "burning" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "burning" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "combustion" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "burning", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act by which something burns or is burned.
"It gives a fine delineation of the burnings of shame, disappointed ambition, and vengeance[…]"
- 2 the act of burning something wordnet
- 3 A fire.
"The burnings continued all day."
- 4 a form of torture in which cigarettes or cigars or other hot implements are used to burn the victim's skin wordnet
- 5 purposefully remove certain number of coins in circulation, by sending it to a public address where the private keys cannot be obtained (called burn address, eater address or black hole), usually should be available on the blockchain for anyone to review such a transaction. It’s a one-way address with no ability to reverse the transaction or withdraw the coins. For all practical purposes, the asset no longer exists (it has been “burned”). The act of burning effectively removes tokens from the available supply.
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 execution by fire wordnet
- 7 A fiery pain.
- 8 execution by electricity wordnet
- 9 a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light wordnet
- 10 pain that feels hot as if it were on fire wordnet
Verb
- 1 present participle and gerund of burn form-of, gerund, participle, present
Adjective
- 1 So hot as to seem to burn (something).
"the burning sun"
- 2 Feeling very hot.
"burning skin"
- 3 Feeling great passion.
"her burning heart"
- 4 Consuming; intense; inflaming; exciting; vehement; powerful.
"burning zeal"
- 5 Being keenly discussed.
"a burning question; a burning issue"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 On fire.
"A firefighter puts water on a burning tree as flames approach a containment line, while fighting the King fire near Fresh Pond, California."
Adjective
- 1 of immediate import wordnet
Example
"Bridges are burning and chances are few."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "burning"?
Common synonyms include: combustion, abandoned, ablaze, ablaze, acerb, acerbate.
How do you use "burning" in a sentence?
Bridges are burning and chances are few.
How do you pronounce "burning"?
Pronounced /ˈbɝnɪŋ/.
Etymology
By surface analysis, burn + -ing.