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

Stewed, boiled, fried, roasted, or grilled, fish has been a mainstay in Icelandic cuisine for as long as people have lived there. —Claire Volkman, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023

After the mixture has boiled for 7 minutes, scoop a small spoonful and immerse it in the ice water. —Genevieve Ko, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023

As a sign of faith, the girls boil water on a gas cooker, preparing for whatever Mr. Niewenhoudt brings home: pap, South Africa’s staple of ground maize; potatoes; maybe even bones for a broth. —Lynsey Chutel Gulshan Khan, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023

It was supposed to prove out a dream that smaller, modular designs can make splitting atoms to boil water and push turbines with steam much cheaper. —WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023

Ars Technica: What sort of connections have surprised and delighted (or terrified) you the most? James Burke: All three boil into one, really: delighted, terrified, and surprised. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 9 Nov. 2023

Boil potatoes: Cook in a medium saucepan in boiling water to cover 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain and place into a large mixing bowl. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023

Cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and boil until apples are tender and mixture is thick, stirring occasionally. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2023

Historically, wealthy Romans would boil eggs and serve them with spicy sauces as an appetizer for a large, fancy meal, according to the North Carolina Egg Association. —Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2023

Noun

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the sugar and corn syrup just to a boil, stirring with a small spatula to dissolve the sugar, about 2 to 3 minutes. —Alyssa Sybertz, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2023

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-​low and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender. —Jonathan Miles, Field & Stream, 15 Nov. 2023

The Always Pan is designed to sear, braise, steam, strain, sauté, fry, boil, bake, and food can be served directly from it. —Dhara Patel, Peoplemag, 7 Nov. 2023

How to blanch green beans Arguably the easiest way to cook green beans: Bring a big pot of water to a rolling boil and season it generously with salt. —Carly Westerfield, Bon Appétit, 30 Oct. 2023

Automatic shutoff and a dry boil prevention feature are handy additions for added safety. —Savannah Sher, Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023

Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to medium-low and cover. —Sandra A. Gutierrez, Saveur, 11 Oct. 2023

Once peas have come to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until peas are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2023

Turn the heat down to a low boil and cook for six minutes. —Ashia Aubourg, SELF, 2 Nov. 2023

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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

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

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

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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