boil

[bɔɪl]

boil Definition

• 1. to reach or cause to reach the temperature at which a liquid starts to turn into a gas, especially by heating
• 2. to cook something in boiling water
• 3. a painful, pus-filled swelling on the skin caused by an infection of a hair follicle or sweat gland

Using boil: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "boil" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  Boil the potatoes for 20 minutes.

• Example

  The water is boiling.

• Example

  I have a boil on my arm.

• Example

  The soup is boiling over!

• Example

  The tea kettle is starting to boil.

boil Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for boil

• bubble
• seethe
• simmer
• cook
• stew

Antonyms for boil

• freeze
• cool

Phrases with boil

• boil down to

  to be summarized or distilled to the most important or essential elements

  Example

  The argument boils down to a disagreement over money.

• boil over

  to overflow or spill over the sides of a container while boiling

  Example

  Be careful not to let the soup boil over.

• make one's blood boil

  to make someone very angry or upset

  Example

  The way he treated her made my blood boil.

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Summary: boil in Brief

The verb 'boil' [bɔɪl] refers to the process of heating a liquid until it turns into a gas, cooking something in boiling water, or a painful, pus-filled swelling on the skin. It can be used in phrases like 'boil down to,' meaning to summarize the most important elements, and 'make one's blood boil,' meaning to make someone very angry or upset.