✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

boil over

verb

boiled over; boiling over; boils over

intransitive verb

1
: to overflow while boiling
2
a
: to become violent or lose control because of anger
so frustrated he's ready to boil over
b
: to develop into something more violent
Their disagreement finally boiled over into a fight.
boilover noun

Examples of boil over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gradually stir in gravy and broth; bring to a gentle boil over medium-high. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2025 DeKalb County's debate over the future of data centers boiled over Thursday night as the Board of Commissioners held a contentious zoning meeting — one that erupted into shouting, chanting, and, eventually, police escorts. Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025 Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high. Carla Hall, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2025 The two players appeared to grab each other’s facemasks before their bad blood boiled over. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boil over

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boil over was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boil over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil%20over. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

boil over

verb
1
: to overflow while boiling
2
: to become so angry as to lose one's temper

More from Merriam-Webster on boil over

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!