boil down

verb

boiled down; boiling down; boils down

transitive verb

1

: to reduce in bulk by boiling

2

: condense, summarize

boil down a report

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo reduction in bulk by boiling

2

a

: to be equivalent in summary : amount

his speech boiled down to a plea for more money

b

: to reduce ultimately

your choices boil down to three

Synonyms

• summarize
• outline

Examples of boil down in a Sentence

the discussion of the problem can be boiled down to a couple of critical points

Recent Examples on the Web

Fit Finding the best T-shirt boils down to finding one that fits well. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

This week boils down to a simple choice. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025

Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD on YouTube and other social media channels, has already boiled down his thoughts to a stinging verdict. —Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

The two sides boil down to Artie T against his three sisters. —Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for boil down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

boil down

verb

: to reduce or become reduced by or as if by boiling

let the sauce boil down

boil down a report