Singe means to burn something very lightly on the surface—just enough to scorch it without catching it on fire. You might smell the faint scent of smoke, but the item stays mostly intact.
In everyday life, people use singe when they’re in the kitchen: you might singe the edge of a tortilla over a gas flame to give it a smoky taste, or a stylist could singe the tips of hair to seal split ends. It’s also common when lighting candles—holding a match too close can singe your fingertip.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- “I accidentally singed the paper towel when I reached over the burner.”
- “The chef likes to singe the peppers before blending them into salsa.”
- “Be careful not to singe your bangs while curling them.”
Context / Common Use
Most people run into singe when cooking or styling hair. It’s the quick, light scorch you notice by smell or a tiny dark mark—never a full burn.
Is singe the same as burn?
No. Burn implies deeper damage; singe is just a surface scorch.
Can you singe food on purpose?
Yes. Cooks often singe the skin of tomatoes or peppers to remove it easily or add a smoky flavor.
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