verb

sear

seer

verb

To burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.

"Sear the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side."

"The explosion seared the paint off the wall."

adjective

Dried up or withered, especially of plants.

"By late summer the grass had turned sear and brittle."

How to Use Sear

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often used in cooking, meaning to brown the outside of meat quickly over high heat.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "seer" (someone who predicts the future) — they sound identical.

Easily confused with

seer → sere

Common pairings

sear the meat searing heat searing pain

Word Forms

searer comparative, more sear comparative, seared past tense, sears plural, sears plural, Sears plural, sears singular, searest superlative, most sear superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side.

Etymology

From Old English sēar ("dry, withered"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "dry, parched."

Rhymes for sear

ear year dear hear tear bear wear near fear pear gear rear

See all rhymes for sear →