1 B1 neutral
To continue burning steadily, especially over a long period.
"The log fire burned away quietly through the evening while they talked."
inseparable
burn away
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To continue burning steadily until completely consumed, or to remove something by burning.
In plain English
To slowly disappear while burning, or to burn something until it is all gone.
What does "burn away" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To destroy or remove something completely by burning it.
"The intense heat burned away the protective coating on the metal pipes."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
(Figurative) To gradually diminish or fade over time.
"His initial enthusiasm for the project burned away after months of setbacks and delays."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To burn until something is burned completely away/gone.
Actually means
To slowly disappear while burning, or to burn something until it is all gone.
Usage tip
Can be intransitive (the fire burns away) or transitive (to burn away impurities). Also used figuratively for things that gradually diminish.
Words that pair with "burn away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fire candle impurities mist rust fat
How to conjugate "burn away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
burn away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
burns away
he/she/it
Past simple
burned away
yesterday
Past participle
burned away
have + pp
-ing form
burning away
continuous
Hear "burn away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "burn away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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