1. (

• char ,
• coal

) burn to charcoal; "Without a drenching rain, the forest fire will char everything" ;

2. (

• char ,
• blacken ,
• sear ,
• scorch ,

) burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color; "The cook blackened the chicken breast"; "The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece"; "the flames scorched the ceiling" ;