Definition

1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):

   • To burn superficially; to scorch: To burn the surface or ends of something lightly, without causing it to be destroyed by fire.
   • To remove feathers, hair, or bristles by passing briefly over a flame: To burn off such material from a surface, typically as a preparation step.

2. Noun (countable):

   • A slight or superficial burn: A mark or injury caused by light burning or scorching.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Transitive):
  • Be careful not to singe the paper with the candle.
  • The chef singed the chicken skin to remove any remaining feathers.
• Verb (Intransitive):
  • The fabric will singe if it gets too close to the heater.
  • My hair singed from the spark.
• Noun:
  • There was a small singe on the edge of the tablecloth.
  • The explosion left a singe on his jacket.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use (Verb): To damage or tarnish slightly, especially one's reputation or pride.
  • The scandal singed his otherwise spotless reputation.
  • Her pride was singed by the criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Singeing (Gerund/Noun): The act or process of burning superficially.
  • The singeing of the wool removes impurities.

Synonyms

• Verb: Scorch, char, sear, scorch.
• Noun: Scorch, scorch mark.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• To singe one's wings/feathers: To suffer a minor loss or setback, often as a result of taking a risk or getting too close to danger. (This is a direct use of the verb 'singe' in a figurative idiom).
  • He tried to invest in the risky market and ended up just singing his wings.

Noun

1. a surface burn

Verb

1. become superficially burned
   • my eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames
2. burn superficially or lightly
   • I singed my eyebrows