Singe means to burnto damage with heat or flame something just a little on the surfacethe outer or top layer of an object, or to be burned slightlyto a small degree; not very much in that way. It can also mean a light burn on a surface.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /sɪndʒ/
Easy pronunciation: SINGE (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.
Verb: to burn lightly on the surface, or become lightly burned on the surface.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Singe Meaning
to burn a little on the outside
Part of speech: verb
Definition: burn something lightly on the surface, or become lightly burned on the surface
Example: The candle flame singed the edge of the paper.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- scorch — A strong close synonym for a light surface burn, though it can sound a bit broader or more severe.
- sear — Can overlap with the meaning of lightly burning a surface, but is often used for more intense heat.
- swinge — A close but less common synonym for burning lightly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Singe
Meaning 2
a slight burn mark
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a surface burn
Example: There was a singe on the curtain near the heater.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- scorch — Used for the burn mark left by heat.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Singe Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- scorch
- swinge
noun: a surface burn
- scorch
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse singe with scorch or sear, but singe usually suggests only slight burning.
- As a noun, singe means the burn mark itself, not the act of burning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does singe mean?
Singe means to burn something slightly on the surface or to get slightly burned that way.
What are the synonyms of singe?
Common synonyms include scorch, sear, and swinge, depending on the sense and how strong the burning is.
Is singe the same as scorch?
They are very close, but singe often suggests a lighter, more superficial burn.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
