What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sunburnt
Example
I forgot to put on sunscreen and now I'm sunburnt. [sunburnt: adjective]
Example
She spent all day at the beach and came back sunburnt. [sunburnt: adjective]
Example
He got sunburnt after spending the whole day outside without a hat. [sunburnt: verb]
burnt
Example
The house was burnt down in the fire. [burnt: adjective]
Example
The toast is burnt, I'll make you a new one. [burnt: adjective]
Example
She burnt the cookies in the oven. [burnt: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Burnt is more commonly used than sunburnt in everyday language. Burnt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sunburnt is less common and refers specifically to sun exposure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sunburnt and burnt?
Both sunburnt and burnt are informal words, but burnt can be used in formal contexts such as technical reports or legal documents to describe fire damage or industrial accidents.
