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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Scorching Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：extremely hot (scorching)

scorching 🔊

/ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ/

adj.

It means something is extremely and unpleasantly hot, like the weather on the hottest summer day.

Scorching desert landscape with heat waves and bright sun

extremely hot 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli hɑːt/

adj.

Describing something that is extremely and unpleasantly hot, often causing discomfort or burning.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Scorching = scorch (burn) + -ing (adj. suffix). Scorch from Middle English scorchen.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a torch (scorch) burning hot; add -ing for ongoing action → scorching.

📖 Example

We had to drink lots of water during our hike because the scorching sun made us sweat so much. 🔊 We had to drink lots of water during our hike because the scorching sun made us sweat so much.

🔗 Collocations

scorching heat – Extremely hot and uncomfortable weather

scorching sun – The sun that is intensely hot

scorching temperature – A very high temperature

🔄 Synonyms

sweltering (adj.) – Uncomfortably hot, causing sweating

blazing (adj.) – Very hot and bright

sizzling (adj.) – Extremely hot, often with a hissing sound

🚫 Antonyms

freezing (adj.) – Extremely cold

chilly (adj.) – Uncomfortably cold

icy (adj.) – Very cold, like ice

🌱 Derivatives

scorch (v.) – To burn the surface of something

scorched (adj.) – Burned or dried by heat

scorcher (n.) – A very hot day

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'scorch' is thought to be of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse 'skorpna' meaning 'to shrink'. In modern English, 'scorching' is frequently used in weather reports during heatwaves.

Meaning 2：very harsh criticism (scorching)

scorching 🔊

/ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ/

adj.

It means a comment or criticism is extremely harsh, severe, and critical.

Scorching critic with red pen reviewing a movie article

very harsh criticism 🔊

➕

/ˈveri hɑːrʃ ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/

adj.

Describing comments or criticism that are extremely severe, ruthless, and damaging.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The film received scorching reviews from critics who called it boring and poorly made. 🔊 The film received scorching reviews from critics who called it boring and poorly made.

🔗 Collocations

scorching review – A very critical and harsh evaluation

scorching criticism – Severe and unkind disapproval

scorching comment – A remark that is extremely negative and sharp

🔄 Synonyms

severe (adj.) – Very strict and harsh

harsh (adj.) – Unpleasantly rough or strict

blistering (adj.) – Very harsh and critical

🚫 Antonyms

mild (adj.) – Not strong or severe

gentle (adj.) – Kind and moderate

complimentary (adj.) – Expressing praise and approval

🌱 Derivatives

scorch (v.) – To burn the surface of something

scorched (adj.) – Burned or dried by heat

scorcher (n.) – A very hot day