carry a torch for

car·ry a torch for

C c

Definitions of carry a torch for words

phrase carry a torch for If you say that someone is carrying a torch for someone else, you mean that they secretly admire them or love them. 3
noun carry a torch for to be in love with, esp unrequitedly 3
noun carry a torch for to be in love with (someone), esp. without having one's love returned 3
noun carry a torch for a light to be carried in the hand, consisting of some combustible substance, as resinous wood, or of twisted flax or the like soaked with tallow or other flammable substance, ignited at the upper end. 1
noun carry a torch for something considered as a source of illumination, enlightenment, guidance, etc.: the torch of learning. 1
noun carry a torch for any of various lamplike devices that produce a hot flame and are used for soldering, burning off paint, etc. 1

before 1250

One of the 11% oldest English words

1250-1300; Middle English torche (noun) < Old French < Vulgar Latin *torca something twisted. See torque

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Was this page helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page

Tell us why?