1. (

• blacken ,
• melanize ,
• melanise ,
• black

) make or become black; "The smoke blackened the ceiling"; "The ceiling blackened" ;

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" ;