boil
B1Neutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts)
Definition
Meaning
to heat a liquid until it reaches its vaporization point and bubbles form; to cook in boiling water
to be extremely angry or agitated; to reach or cause to reach the point of boiling; to cleanse or process by boiling
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, 'boil' primarily describes a physical process (liquid turning to gas) and a cooking method. Its metaphorical extension to emotions ('boiling with anger') is common. The noun form refers to the act/state of boiling or a painful skin infection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling in derivatives (e.g., 'boiling' vs. 'boiling' is same). The noun for a skin infection is slightly more common in UK medical contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. The idiom 'boil down to' is equally common.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] boil (e.g., The water boils.)[NP] boil [NP] (e.g., Boil the potatoes.)[NP] boil [NP] [AdjP] (e.g., Boil it soft.)[NP] boil [PrepP] (e.g., It boiled over.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “boil down to”
- “boil over”
- “make one's blood boil”
- “boil the ocean”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The issue boils down to a lack of funding." (Metaphorical: to reduce to the essential point)
Academic
"The solution must be boiled to concentrate the compound."
Everyday
"I'll boil some water for tea."
Technical
"The coolant will boil at 100°C at standard pressure."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Let the kettle boil before making tea.
- The milk might boil over if you don't watch it.
American English
- Boil the pasta for ten minutes.
- His rude comment made her blood boil.
adverb
British English
- The soup was boiling hot.
American English
- The radiator was boiling hot to the touch.
adjective
British English
- The boiling water scalded his hand.
- It was a boiling hot day for the picnic.
American English
- Use boiling water to sterilize the jar.
- She was boiling mad after the meeting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please boil two eggs for breakfast.
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
- Don't let the soup boil too vigorously.
- The discussion finally boiled down to two main points.
- The political scandal caused public anger to boil over.
- You need to boil off the excess solvent.
- Simmer the sauce; do not let it reach a rolling boil.
- Years of resentment finally came to a boil during the negotiations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pot of water on a stove with big, angry BUBBLES - BOIL sounds like 'bubble oil' but without the 'bu' and 'le'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A HOT FLUID IN A CONTAINER (e.g., "She was boiling with rage.")
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'boil' for 'fry' (жарить). 'Boil' is specifically варьировать/кипятить.
- The noun 'a boil' (фурункул) is a false friend with the Russian 'боль' (pain).
- Avoid translating 'кипятиться' (to be very angry) literally as 'to boil' in formal contexts; it's idiomatic.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *I will boil the fish in a pan. (Correct: fry) *My head is boiling. (Unidiomatic for headache).
- Confusing 'boil' (100°C) with 'simmer' (just below boiling).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'boil down to' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Boil' means to heat a liquid to 100°C where large, rapid bubbles form. 'Simmer' means to heat a liquid to just below boiling (around 85-95°C) where small, gentle bubbles occasionally break the surface.
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically to indicate intense anger or agitation (e.g., 'He was boiling with fury' or 'Her temper boiled over').
No, the noun 'a boil' refers to a painful, pus-filled swelling on the skin (a furuncle). It is etymologically related but has a completely different meaning from the cooking process.
It means to boil an egg in its shell until both the white and the yolk become completely solid, as opposed to 'soft boil,' where the yolk remains runny.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Cooking
A2 · 50 words · Cooking methods, kitchen tools and recipes.