burns

word · lemma: burn

/ˈbɝnz/
burnz
/bˈɜːnz/
burnz

Definition

As a verb, it means is on fire, is damaged by heat, or causes a painful hot feeling. As a noun, it can mean an injury caused by heat, fire, chemicals, or the sun.

Usage & Nuances

"Burn" is common in everyday English and appears in many contexts: fire ("The wood burns"), injury ("He has burns on his arm"), sensation ("My eyes burn"), and sunlight ("I burn easily"). Learners often confuse the verb "burns" with the noun plural "burns"; the sentence structure usually makes the meaning clear.

Example Sentences

This paper burns very fast.

basic

Hot soup burns my tongue.

basic

He has small burns on his hand.

basic

My skin burns if I'm in the sun for ten minutes.

natural

Careful, that pan burns even after you turn off the stove.

natural

The doctor said the burns should heal in a couple of weeks.

natural