Definition

Adjective 1. Made black or dark in color: Describes something that has become black or darkened, often due to exposure to fire, smoke, or another darkening agent. 2. Made dark or discolored, as if by soot or grime: Can describe surfaces or objects that have accumulated a layer of dark material. 3. (Of food) Charred or heavily browned on the outside through a specific cooking method: Refers to a culinary technique where food, especially meat or fish, is coated with spices and seared at high heat to create a dark, flavorful crust.

Usage

The adjective "blackened" is used to describe the state of an object after it has undergone a process that causes it to become black or very dark. It often implies a change from a previous state.

Examples

• The blackened timbers of the old barn were all that remained after the fire.
• She served blackened salmon with a side of lemon butter sauce.
• The walls were blackened from decades of smoke from the fireplace.
• His fingers were blackened with grease after fixing the engine.

Advanced Usage

• "Blackened" in a metaphorical sense: Can be used figuratively to describe reputation or character that has been severely tarnished.
  • The scandal left his once-sterling reputation blackened.

Variants and Related Words

• Blacken (verb): To make or become black or dark.
  • The smoke began to blacken the ceiling.
• Blackening (noun): The process or result of becoming blackened.
  • The blackening of the metal was caused by oxidation.

Synonyms

• Charred
• Sooty
• Smoked
• Seared (in culinary context)
• Singed

Antonyms

• Whitened
• Cleansed
• Polished

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Blackened beyond recognition: So darkened or damaged that its original form cannot be identified.
  • The document was blackened beyond recognition in the blaze.

Adjective

1. (of the face) made black especially as with suffused blood
   • a face black with fury
2. darkened by smoke
   • blackened rafters