Boil
/bɔɪl/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo reach a temperature at which a liquid turns into vapor, forming bubbles.
/bɔɪl/
To heat a liquid until it bubbles and forms steam.
The water boiled rapidly.
💡 Simply: To make something hot until it bubbles.
More Examples
He boiled the potatoes until they were soft.
How It's Used
"I'm going to boil some water for pasta."
"The solution began to boil at 100 degrees Celsius."
The act or process of boiling.
/bɔɪl/
A state of being heated to a point of bubbling.
The soup came to a boil.
💡 Simply: The bubbly action of something hot.
More Examples
The pot was at a rolling boil.
How It's Used
"The potatoes are at a rolling boil."
A localized skin infection characterized by inflammation and pus.
/bɔɪl/
A sore, inflamed area on the skin, often caused by infection.
The boil was extremely painful.
💡 Simply: A painful, pus-filled bump on the skin.
More Examples
She treated the boil with antibiotics.
How It's Used
"She had a painful boil on her arm."
Idioms & expressions
bring something to a boil
To heat something until it boils.
"She brought the water to a boil before adding the pasta."
From Old English *bolian, from Proto-Germanic *būlijaną, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰew-.
The word 'boil' has been used in its various meanings for centuries, with evidence appearing in Old English texts.
Memory tip
Imagine bubbles boiling up like a pot on the stove.
Word Origin
"To bubble or swell"