scorching
UK: ˈskɔːtʃɪŋ | US: ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ
adj. extremely hot; burning
v. present participle of scorch: to burn or discolor the surface of something with heat
The word scorch originates from Middle English scorchen, likely derived from Old Norse skorpna ("to shrivel") or related to Old English sceorfan ("to gnaw or scrape"). The -ing suffix transforms it into an adjective or present participle, emphasizing the ongoing or intense nature of the action. Over time, scorching evolved to describe extreme heat, often metaphorically (e.g., "scorching criticism").
The scorching sun made the pavement too hot to walk on barefoot.
She wiped her forehead, sweating in the scorching afternoon heat.
The chef left the pan unattended, and the vegetables ended up scorching.
His scorching remarks left the audience stunned.
Desert plants have adapted to survive scorching temperatures.