broil

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈbrȯi(-ə)l 

broiled; broiling; broils

transitive verb

: to cook by direct exposure to radiant heat : grill

broil the steak in the oven at 450ƍF

intransitive verb

: to be subjected to great or oppressive heat

broiling in the sun

broil

2 of 4

noun (1)

: the act or state of cooking something directly over or under high radiant heat : the act or state of broiling (see broil entry 1)

a quick broil

broil

3 of 4

verb (2)

broiled; broiling; broils

intransitive verb

: brawl

transitive verb

: embroil

broil

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a noisy disturbance : tumult

especially : brawl

a tavern row … widens into a general broil

—J. R. Green

Synonyms

Verb (2)

• trap
• embroil
• bog (down)
• tangle

Noun (2)

• brawl
• clash
• melee
• mêlée

Examples of broil in a Sentence

Verb (2)

instead of broiling themselves in internal strife, they should band together against the common enemy

Noun (2)

a noisy broil broke out at the bar

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Broilers usually heat at temperatures of 500-550 degrees Fahrenheit, and not all dishes can be safely broiled at the higher end. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025

WASP-39b is about the size of Saturn and whips around its sunlike star once every four days; that broiling orbit heats the planet’s dayside to 1,430 degrees Fahrenheit (776 degrees Celsius). —Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025

Noun

Toss the crispy gnocchi with lots of sweet, fresh corn kernels, prepared pesto and a hefty sprinkle of grated cheese, and broil until the cheese gets bubbly, gooey and slightly charred in spots. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025

Bake, grill, or broil instead of frying. —Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French bruiller to burn, broil, modification of Latin ustulare to singe, from urere to burn

Noun (1)

noun derivative of broil entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French broiller to jumble, mix, from Vulgar Latin *brodiculare, from *brod-, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German brod broth — more at broth

Noun (2)

noun derivative of broil entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (1)

1563, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

1525, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing broil

• London broil

Rhymes for broil

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

Kids Definition

broil

verb

ˈbrȯi(ə)l

1

: to cook directly over or under heat

2

: to make or become extremely hot

broiling in the sun