boil

1 of 3

verb

ˈbȯi(-ə)l 

boiled; boiling; boils

intransitive verb

1

a

: to come to the boiling point

b

: to generate bubbles of vapor when heated

—used of a liquid

c

: to cook in boiling water

2

: to become agitated : seethe

3

: to be moved, excited, or stirred up

4

a

: to rush headlong

b

: to burst forth

5

: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid

transitive verb

1

: to subject to the action of a boiling liquid

2

: to heat to the boiling point

3

: to form or separate (something, such as sugar or salt) by boiling

boilable

ˈbȯi-lə-bəl 

adjective

boil

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus

boil

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the act or state of boiling

2

: a swirling upheaval (as of water)

3

: a boiled dish of seafood, vegetables, and seasonings

a crab boil

also : a gathering at which this dish is served

Synonyms

Verb

• burn
• foam
• fume
• rage
• rankle
• seethe
• sizzle
• steam
• storm

Noun (1)

• fester
• hickey
• papule
• pimple
• pock
• pustule
• whelk
• zit [slang]

Examples of boil in a Sentence

Verb

Keep the temperature low enough so the mixture will not boil.

a pot of boiling water

french fries cooked in boiling oil

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cooler temperatures in the shade also allow the nectar to last longer. Nectar can be bought at the store or made easily at home by mixing and boiling four parts water with one part sugar. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Apr. 2024

Water boils far faster than with the gas stove and even more quickly than in our electric kettle. —Tik Root, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024

If you’re used to simply boiling the grains in water, try substituting a low-sodium bone broth for extra flavor and protein. —Sarah Garone, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

The soup was boiling hot, and its fragrant, spicy aroma instantly restored my spirits. —Mohammed Naseehu Ali, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

Eggs are easier to peel if they’re completely cooled after boiling. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024

Dyeing eggs for Easter is cool, but boiling them can bring you down. —Liz Biro, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Mar. 2024

Preparing Real Eggs for an Easter Egg Hunt There are three ways to prepare real eggs for an Easter egg hunt: hollow the shell out, hard boil the eggs, or leave them bare. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2024

The situation is a bit like holding a hot incandescent light bulb or a mug of boiling tea and, instead of suffering a burn having your hand flash-vaporize to a rapidly expanding cloud of plasma; that is, the available thermal energy is insufficient to do the deed. —Popsci Staff, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024

Noun

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan gently back and forth every 5 minutes or so. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

To soft boil the egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. —Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

Add water and cook Add 1 liter boiling water, cover with a lid, and bring to the boil. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2024

The discovery of the man's body had prompted a temporary boil water advisory. —Li Cohen, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024

Stovetop: Bring meat, seasonings, onion, celery and broth to a boil, lower to simmer, cover and cook 2-3 hours until meat is done. —Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024

Stir in the flour, lemon zest, broth, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024

Bring 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of water to a boil in a saucepan. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024

Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French buillir, boillir, from Latin bullire to bubble, from bulla bubble

Noun (1)

Middle English, alteration of bile, from Old English bȳl; akin to Old High German pūlla bladder

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing boil

• boil away
• boil down
• boil over
• boil up
• hard-boil
• make someone's blood boil
• off the boil
• on the boil
• rolling boil
• slow boil
• went off the boil

Kids Definition

boil

1 of 3 noun

ˈbȯi(ə)l 

: a painful swollen inflamed area of the skin resulting from infection compare carbuncle sense 2

boil

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to produce bubbles of vapor when heated

the water is boiling

b

: to come or bring to the boiling point

the coffee boiled

2

: to churn violently as if boiling

boiling floodwaters

3

: to be excited or stirred up

boil with anger

4

: to go through or cause to go through the action of a boiling liquid

boil eggs

boil

3 of 3 noun

: the act or state of boiling

bring to a boil

Etymology

Noun

an altered form of Middle English bile "a boil," from Old English bȳl (same meaning)

Verb

Middle English boilen "to boil," from early French boillir, derived from Latin bulla "a bubble" — related to bill entry 3, bowl entry 2

Medical Definition

boil

noun

ˈbȯi(ə)l 

: a localized swelling and inflammation of the skin resulting from usually bacterial infection of a hair follicle and adjacent tissue, having a hard central core, and forming pus

called also furuncle