Burning

/ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

adjectiveBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Being consumed by fire.

/ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

adjectivenegativeBeginner
General

On fire; ablaze.

The burning house filled the night sky with flames.

💡 Simply: Something is on fire.

More Examples

2

He felt a burning sensation in his throat.

How It's Used

General

"The building was burning fiercely."

2

Characterized by intense feeling or passion.

/ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

adjectivepositiveIntermediate
General

Intense or passionate.

He felt a burning passion for justice.

💡 Simply: Feeling very strongly about something.

More Examples

2

She delivered a burning speech against injustice.

How It's Used

Figurative

"She had a burning desire to succeed."

Tip:Like a fire, the feeling is intense.
3

The process of something being consumed by fire.

/ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

present participleneutralBeginner
General

The action of burning.

The candle is burning brightly.

💡 Simply: Something is on fire and being consumed.

More Examples

2

He was burning leaves in the garden.

How It's Used

General

"The wood is burning in the fireplace."

Tip:Imagine the flames consuming the object.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

burning question

A very important or urgent question.

"The burning question is, what do we do next?"

From Old English *burnan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch branden and German brennen.

The word 'burning' has been used to describe both literal fire and intense emotions since Old English.

Memory tip

Think of something literally on fire.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"To consume by fire"

Base: burn
burning desireburning questionburning issue

Common misspellings

burneingburnning

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written