blackened
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈblækənd/
KK: /ˈblækənd/
adjective
Definition
Made dark or black in color, often due to burning or cooking.
Example
The blackened chicken was seasoned with spices and grilled to perfection.
Conversation
Have you tried the new restaurant downtown?
Not yet, but I heard their ribs are blackened and really flavorful.
I love blackened food! It adds such a nice kick.
Exactly! We should go there together this weekend.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
charred
scorched
darkened
Antonyms
bright
light
unburned
verb
Definition
To make something black or to become black, often due to burning or charring.
Example
The fire blackened the walls of the house.
Tense Forms
Past: blackened
Past Participle: blackened
Conversation
Did you see how the steak blackened on the grill?
Yeah, it looked delicious!
I thought it might be overcooked, but it tasted amazing.
Root Explanation
Blackened → It is formed from "black" (from Old English *blæc*, meaning dark or the color of coal) and "-ened" (a suffix indicating a change of state or condition). The word "blackened" means to have become black or darkened in color, often due to burning or charring.
Memory Tip
Think of something that has turned 'dark' ('black') due to a change in condition ('-ened'). This helps you remember that 'blackened' means something has become black.
Visually Confused Words
unblackened
brackened
lackeyed
unslackened
backen
backed