boil

1 of 3

verb

ˈbȯi(-ə)l

boiled; boiling; boils

Synonyms of boil next

intransitive verb

: to come to the boiling point

: to generate bubbles of vapor when heated

—used of a liquid

: to cook in boiling water

: to become agitated : seethe

: to be moved, excited, or stirred up

: to rush headlong

: to burst forth

: to undergo the action of a boiling liquid

transitive verb

: to subject to the action of a boiling liquid

: to heat to the boiling point

: 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)

: the act or state of boiling

: a swirling upheaval (as of water)

: a boiled dish of seafood, vegetables, and seasonings

a crab boil

also : a gathering at which this dish is served

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

To make the dish, Bottura boils spaghetti and then purées it to form a dough, which is divided into three parts, each mixed with a different sauce: basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano or tomato. —

Laura May Todd Enea Arienti, New York Times, 17 May 2024 Process jars in a boiling-water canner for 5 minutes (start timing when the water returns to boil). —

Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for boil

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of boil was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Boil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.

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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

: to produce bubbles of vapor when heated

the water is boiling

: to come or bring to the boiling point

the coffee boiled

: to churn violently as if boiling

boiling floodwaters

: to be excited or stirred up

boil with anger

: 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

Last Updated: 23 May 2024 - Updated example sentences

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boil

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonyms

Examples of boil in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near boil

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition