1. To burn the surface of something: The very hot pan scorched the wooden top of the serving table.

Try to roast the meat and don't scorch it.

While Ronda was ironing Ralph's shirt, she was scorching it because the iron was too hot.

2. To damage something as a result of making it very dry: The hot sun and the very dry weather scorched the crops in several areas of the country.

Referring to something that has been burned: When Melba was cooking, she noticed that the scorched meat could not be served because it could not be eaten.