singe

/sindʤ/

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Word: Singe

Part of Speech: Verb (also used as a noun)

Definition:

• As a verb: To burn something lightly or superficially, usually causing just a small amount of damage. For example, if you singe your hair, it means it has been slightly burned.
• As a noun: A small, light burn on a surface.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "singe" when describing a situation where something is burned but not completely destroyed. It often refers to hair, fabric, or other materials that can be damaged by heat.

Examples:

• Verb: "I singed my eyebrows when I leaned too close to the campfire."
• Noun: "There was a singe on the edge of the paper where it had been near the candle flame."

Advanced Usage:

• You can use "singe" in a figurative sense to describe situations where someone experiences a minor setback or damage, such as in emotions or reputations. For example, "The scandal singed her reputation, but she quickly recovered."

Word Variants:

• Singeing (verb, present participle): The act of burning lightly.
• Singe (noun): The result of singeing, as in a small burn mark.

Different Meanings:

• While "singe" primarily refers to light burning, it can also imply a slight alteration or damage to something's quality or integrity.

Synonyms:

• Scorch
• Char
• Burn
• Singe can be a lighter form of these words, implying less damage.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't common idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically use "singe," but you can use it in expressions like "singe the edges," which means to slightly damage something or make it less perfect.

Summary:

"Singe" is an easy-to-use word that describes a minor burn or the act of burning something lightly.

Academic

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

Synonyms

• scorch
• sear
• swinge