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

Noun (1)

the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

No need to dirty another pot, wait for water to boil, or do more dishes. —Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025

Bouillon is a word from the 17th century for a liquid to boil, usually offcuts of meat, but vegetables too, that make an inexpensive, hearty broth. —Byalex Ledsom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2025

Noun

Stir in sugar and evaporated milk; bring to a boil. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025

Add the reserved pasta cooking water, increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat so the sauce is gently simmering. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for boil

• broil
• coil
• foil
• oil
• roil
• soil
• spoil
• toil
• voile
• aerofoil
• cinquefoil
• hydrofoil

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