parch

verb

ˈpärch 

parched; parching; parches

transitive verb

1

: to toast under dry heat

2

: to shrivel with heat

3

: to dry or shrivel with cold

intransitive verb

: to become dry or scorched

Synonyms

• dehydrate
• desiccate
• dry
• scorch
• sear

Examples of parch in a Sentence

The hot desert sun had parched the land.

the heat has really parched my throat

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether your lips feel parched from environmental factors, dehydration or even as a side effect of hormonal changes (yes, perimenopause can play a role), the good news is that relief is within reach. —Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 5 Dec. 2024

Others looked parched but had a few avocados barely hanging on. —Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024

Quartz’s Britney Nguyen explains just how permanently parched the AI industry has become, as well as whether its human customers will be able to coexist with it. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024

This followed record-breaking summer heat and dry conditions in early October, leaving soils parched and reducing the runoff efficiency of early precipitation. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

parch

verb

ˈpärch 

1

: to toast by dry heat

2

: to wilt with heat