What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
seared
Example
The chef seared the steak to perfection. [seared: verb]
Example
She felt a searing pain in her leg after falling. [searing: adjective]
scorch
Example
The sun scorched the grass, turning it brown. [scorched: verb]
Example
He received a scorching rebuke from his boss for his mistake. [scorching: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scorch is more commonly used than seared in everyday language, especially in the context of weather conditions or criticism. Seared is more specific to cooking and may not be as commonly used in other contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between seared and scorch?
Both seared and scorch can be used in formal and informal contexts, but seared may be more commonly used in professional cooking settings.
