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burn down

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌbɝn ˈdaʊn/ · UK /ˌbɜːn ˈdaʊn/

burn down means: To destroy a building by setting it on fire.

verb

DESTROY WITH FIREB1

To destroy a building by setting it on fire.

  • They threatened to burn down the house.
  • Someone burned down our old barn.
  • Did the soldiers burn the village down?

How to use it: burn something down (Someone burned the warehouse down last night.)

Similar words: torch, destroy by fire

Common phrases: burn down something, burn down houses

BE DESTROYEDB1

If a building does this, fire destroys it completely.

  • The house burned down.
  • Our school burned down during the holidays.
  • How did the factory burn down?

Similar words: burn to the ground

Common phrases: burn down completely, burn down overnight

KILL OR ATTACKC2

To kill or attack someone, often by shooting them.

  • The gang threatened to burn him down.
  • He claimed he had burned down a rival.
  • The gunman tried to burn them down outside the club.

How to use it: burn someone down (The gunman threatened to burn him down.)

Similar words: kill, gun down, attack

Common phrases: burn someone down, burn down someone

Questions about burn down

What does burn down mean?

To destroy a building by setting it on fire.

What is burn down in other languages?

Türkçe: yakıp kül etmek · Español: quemar · Français: incendier · Deutsch: niederbrennen · Italiano: dare alle fiamme · 日本語: 焼き払う

How do you pronounce burn down?

In American English /ˌbɝn ˈdaʊn/; in British English /ˌbɜːn ˈdaʊn/.

How do you use burn down in a sentence?

They threatened to burn down the house. Someone burned down our old barn.

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