boil

boil · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    (Of a liquid) reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapor.

  2. 2.

    Cook food in boiling water.

  3. 3.

    (Of a person) be very angry.

  4. 4.

    The point at which liquid boils.

  5. 5.

    A painful, pus-filled swelling on the skin.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bring to a boil — Heat until boiling.
  • •
    boil down to — Be essentially about.
  • •
    boil over — Overflow when boiling; lose one's temper.
  • •
    make one's blood boil — Make very angry.
  • •
    a watched pot never boils — Time passes slowly when waiting.
  • •
    off the boil — No longer at peak performance.

Related words

Antonyms: cool, freeze
See also: boiled, boiling, cook, simmer
Synonyms: bubble, seethe, simmer

Etymology

From Old French boillir, from Latin bullīre ("to bubble").