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)

• bog (down)
• embrangle
• embroil
• mire

Noun (2)

• affray [chiefly British]
• brawl
• donnybrook
• fracas
• fray
• free-for-all
• melee
• mêlée
• rough-and-tumble
• row
• ruckus
• ruction

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

Once guests trickle in, some items may need to be popped in the oven to reheat or broil, but nothing should still need cooking at this stage. —Ginger Perra, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025

Copeland broils her fish in a homemade marinade of brown sugar, orange juice, soy sauce and white wine vinegar, pairing it with sweet potato mash on the side. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 8 May 2025

Noun

Or keep grapefruits in halves, sprinkle with sugar or brown sugar, and broil or heat with a kitchen torch until the sugar caramelizes. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025

The nonstick, countertop toaster oven includes a removable crumb tray, air fry basket, broil pan, and baking rack. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 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