What does "char" mean?
A charred substance.
Char
/t͡ʃɑɹ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A charred substance.
- Grammar: char is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: blacken, charwoman, cleaning lady, cleaning woman.
- Useful contrasts: cool, extinguish, oxidize.
- Usage evidence: I love the crispy char on Adriano's steak.
How to use "char"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "char" 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 "char" 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 "char" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "char" 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 "char" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang 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 "blacken" 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 "char", 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 A charred substance.
- 2 Any of the several species of fishes of the genus Salvelinus.
"Among other native delicacies, they give you fresh char."
- 3 A time; a turn or occasion. obsolete
- 4 A character (text element such as a letter or symbol).
"The unit is an 80-column, 30 char. /sec dot matrix printer which uses a 5 by 7 font."
- 5 Alternative form of cha (“tea”). British, alt-of, alternative, uncountable
"“’Ullo, cock,” it said, amiably enough. “So you’ve come to, ’ave yer? ’Ang on a bit, an’ I’ll get you a cup o’ char.” And it vanished again."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 any of several small trout-like fish of the genus Salvelinus wordnet
- 7 A turn of work; a labour or item of business. obsolete
- 8 A character (being involved in the action of a story). colloquial
"In fact, when I somewhat lack inspiration, I tend to convert my characters according to the rules of a game which universe is close enough (I did it for some of the chars in my WIP, taking the Cyberpunk 2020 rulebook)."
- 9 a human female employed to do housework wordnet
- 10 An odd job, a chore or piece of housework.
"When thou hast done this chare, I’ll give thee leave to play till doomsday."
- 11 a charred substance wordnet
- 12 A charlady, a woman employed to do housework; cleaning lady.
"I had to scrub the kitchen today, because the char couldn't come."
Verb
- 1 To burn something to charcoal; to be burnt to charcoal. ergative
"I charred the wood."
- 2 To turn, especially away or aside. obsolete
- 3 burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color wordnet
- 4 To burn (something) severely, so as to blacken it. transitive
"The fire charred her down to the bone."
- 5 To work, especially to do housework; to work by the day, without being a regularly hired servant.
"She explained that she was the commissionaire's wife, who did the charing, and I gave her the order for the coffee."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 burn to charcoal wordnet
- 7 To burn (something) slightly or superficially so as to affect colour. transitive
"The chef charred the scallops just right."
- 8 To perform; to do; to finish. obsolete
"All's chared when he is gone."
- 9 To work or hew (stone, etc.)
Proper Noun
- 1 A nickname for Charlotte
- 2 A nickname for Charlene
- 3 A short river in west Dorset, England; in full, the River Char.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I love the crispy char on Adriano's steak."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "char"?
Common synonyms include: blacken, charwoman, cleaning lady, cleaning woman, coal, scorch.
How do you use "char" in a sentence?
I love the crispy char on Adriano's steak.
How do you pronounce "char"?
Pronounced /t͡ʃɑɹ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Back-formation from charcoal.
Etymology 2
Unknown, perhaps from Celtic, such as Irish ceara (“fiery red”) (found in personal names). Or, perhaps borrowed from Middle Low German schar (“flounder, dab”), from Old Saxon skard, from Proto-Germanic *skardaz, related to *skeraną (“to cut”), referring to its shape. If so, related to shard.
Etymology 3
From Middle English cherre (“odd job”), from Old English ċierr (“a turn, change, time, occasion, affair, business”), from ċierran (“to turn, change, turn oneself, go, come, proceed, turn back, return, regard, translate, persuade, convert, be converted, agree to, submit, make to submit, reduce”), from Proto-Germanic *karzijaną (“to turn”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gers- (“to bend, turn”). Cognate with Dutch keer (“a time, turn, occasion”), German Kehre (“a turn, bight, bend”) and kehren (“to sweep”) or umkehren (“to return or reverse”). More at chore, ajar.
Etymology 4
Clipping of character. Used as the name of a data type in some programming languages, including notably C.
Etymology 5
Non-rhotic spelling of cha.
Etymology 6
Shortening (of personal names).