1 B2 neutral
To permanently mark a surface by applying heat, as in woodburning or branding.
"The craftsman burned his initials in to the base of every piece of furniture he made."
separable
burn in
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To permanently mark a surface by burning, or (of a screen image) to become permanently fixed after prolonged display.
In plain English
To make a permanent mark by burning, or when a picture stays on a screen forever.
What does "burn in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(Of a screen or display) to permanently retain a ghost image from prolonged static display.
"Leaving the same image on your phone for months can cause it to burn in to the screen."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
(Figurative) To fix something so deeply in the mind that it cannot be forgotten.
"That image of the burning building was burned in to her memory forever."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use fire or heat to mark something inward/permanently.
Actually means
To make a permanent mark by burning, or when a picture stays on a screen forever.
Usage tip
The technology sense (screen burn-in) is very familiar to modern users of phones and monitors. The crafts/woodwork sense (burning a design into wood) is also well known. Figurative use (memory burned in) is also frequent.
Words that pair with "burn in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
screen monitor image memory design wood
How to conjugate "burn in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
burn in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
burns in
he/she/it
Past simple
burned in
yesterday
Past participle
burned in
have + pp
-ing form
burning in
continuous
Hear "burn in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "burn in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.