What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
burnt
Example
The toast is burnt because I left it in the toaster for too long. [burnt: adjective]
Example
The house was burnt down in the fire. [burnt: past participle]
charred
Example
The wood was charred after the campfire burned out. [charred: adjective]
Example
The steak was charred on the outside but still juicy on the inside. [charred: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Burnt is more commonly used than charred in everyday language. Burnt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while charred is less common and often used in specific cooking or fire-related situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between burnt and charred?
Both burnt and charred can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, burnt is generally more informal and casual, while charred can be used in a slightly more formal or technical manner when discussing cooking techniques or fire damage.
