boiling point: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral to formal in scientific contexts; informal in figurative use
Quick answer
What does “boiling point” mean?
The temperature at which a liquid boils and turns to vapour under standard atmospheric pressure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The temperature at which a liquid boils and turns to vapour under standard atmospheric pressure.
The point at which a situation becomes critical, tense, or explosive, especially referring to someone's anger or a conflict reaching its peak.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically in scientific and figurative contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “boiling point” in a Sentence
The [situation/tension] reached boiling point.The boiling point of [substance] is...He was at boiling point.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boiling point” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The solution will boil at 100°C.
- The kettle is boiling.
American English
- The water boils at 212°F.
- Let the mixture boil for five minutes.
adjective
British English
- She gave him a boiling look.
- The boiling hot pavement burned my feet.
American English
- He was boiling mad after the meeting.
- It's boiling outside today.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe market tensions or negotiations becoming critical.
Academic
Primarily used in chemistry and physics to denote a specific physical property.
Everyday
Commonly used figuratively to describe someone becoming very angry or a situation becoming heated.
Technical
A precise thermodynamic term; the temperature at which the vapour pressure of a liquid equals the pressure surrounding the liquid.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “boiling point”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “boiling point”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boiling point”
- Using 'boiling point' to mean 'starting point' or 'initial stage' (confusion with 'beginning').
- Incorrect preposition: 'in boiling point' instead of 'at boiling point'.
- Using it only literally and missing the common figurative usage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun written as two separate words: 'boiling point'.
Rarely. Its figurative use almost always carries a negative connotation of anger, tension, or crisis.
'Boiling point' is the temperature at which a liquid turns to a gas. 'Melting point' is the temperature at which a solid turns to a liquid.
It is acceptable in both informal and formal contexts, though it is more common in informal speech and journalism than in highly technical or legal writing.
The temperature at which a liquid boils and turns to vapour under standard atmospheric pressure.
Boiling point: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɔɪlɪŋ pɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɔɪlɪŋ pɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “reach boiling point”
- “at boiling point”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pot of water on a stove. When it starts bubbling violently, it's at its BOILING POINT. Now imagine someone's face getting red with anger—they've also reached their emotional BOILING POINT.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A HOT FLUID IN A CONTAINER / A CRITICAL SITUATION IS A LIQUID AT BOILING TEMPERATURE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'boiling point' used figuratively?