To destroy a building or structure completely by fire, or to burn until nothing is left.
When a building is completely destroyed by fire.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
(Of a building) to be completely destroyed by fire, or to destroy a building by fire.
"The old town hall burned down in the 1920s and was never rebuilt."
They're burning down the house.
— Talking Heads, 'Burning Down the House' (1983 song)
(Of a fire or candle) to burn until the fuel is exhausted and the flame dies out or reduces significantly.
"By midnight, the campfire had burned down to a bed of glowing embers."
To burn until something collapses or falls down to the ground.
When a building is completely destroyed by fire.
The most common use is for buildings being destroyed by fire. Can be intransitive ('the house burned down') or transitive ('arsonists burned the building down'). Also used for a fire or flame dying down as fuel is exhausted.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "burn down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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