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

Everything from Mexican pop to European experimentalism was strained, boiled, compressed and stretched into addictive instrumental taffy. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024

Old recipes often called for boiling the chicken for upward of an hour, which might have been a good advice for tough old yard birds, but can turn the meat into ropey strands. —Sheri Castle, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2024

That cushion may not be wide enough given the manifold threats menacing the U.S. economy (elevated commodity prices, sticky inflation, the unbridled rise of federal debt, boiling tensions in the Middle East and Asia, to name a few). —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 7 May 2024

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic liquid made from heating or boiling multiple psychoactive plants from South America, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation of Australia. —Nathan Hart, The Enquirer, 7 May 2024

Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture boils. —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024

Cosori Electric Kettle Buy on Amazon Tea-drinking grandmothers will love this efficient and easy-to-use electric kettle that boils water in no time for a tasty brew whenever the craving strikes. —Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024

Medium waxy potatoes are boiled and peeled, then thickly sliced, then coated in an easy dressing. —David Tanis, New York Times, 1 May 2024

This allows for boiling water to be used for oatmeal or instant soups. —Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2024

Noun

Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until the beans are tender. —Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

The simmering conflict came to a boil this past winter. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024

Add cooked chicken and sauce to vegetables and bring to a boil. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

Let liquid come to a boil, then lower the heat so the mixture is at a rapid simmer. —Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024

The town held big events like crawfish boils and barbecues, and Cameron residents took pride in their high school football team. —Nidhi Sharma, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024

Add kale, and return to a boil; cook, stirring occasionally until kale is bright green and softened, about 5 minutes. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan gently back and forth every 5 minutes or so. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

To soft boil the egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. —Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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