scorched Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb make very hot and dry
   sear; scorch.
   
   • The heat scorched the countryside
2. verb become superficially burned
   sear; scorch; singe.
   
   • my eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames
3. verb destroy completely by or as if by fire
   scorch.
   
   • The wildfire scorched the forest and several homes
   • the invaders scorched the land
4. verb burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
   char; sear; blacken; scorch.
   
   • The cook blackened the chicken breast
   • The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece
   • the flames scorched the ceiling
5. verb become scorched or singed under intense heat or dry conditions
   scorch.
   
   • The exposed tree scorched in the hot sun
6. adjective satellite dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
   adust; parched; baked; sunbaked.
   
   • a vast desert all adust
   • land lying baked in the heat
   • parched soil
   • the earth was scorched and bare
   • sunbaked salt flats
7. adjective satellite having everything destroyed so nothing is left salvageable by an enemy
   
   • Sherman's scorched earth policy

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