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boil

boil

88 1.3
The temperature when a liquid changes into gas
  • noun
  • /bɔɪl/
translation icon : punto de ebullición
  • An underground saltwater lake causes boiling water to spray out of the earth in places throughout the region.
  • boiling point
  • boiling temperature
  • bring to a boil

Cooking pasta, we've always brought huge amounts of water to a boil and dumped it in.

Examples

  • Keep the crab on a low boil.

  • Cooking pasta, we've always brought huge amounts of water to a boil and dumped it in.

  • Put it in a pot, you bring it to a boil.

  • Wait for the water to come to a full boil before I'm placed in it.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I got some cups and we watched the water boil without saying anything.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Bring the chicken stock or water to a boil in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Bring 3 cups of milk and 3 cups of water to a boil in an ovenproof pan.

    Academic text (1993)
  • In Mum's room, the kettle neared the boil over a spitting fire.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • You should bring the water to a boil before adding the pasta.

Synonyms

boiling point
vsboil
  • Specialized
4 3.4

The temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas at normal air pressure

is identical in meaning but uses vapor wording in the description

Idioms

6 7.0

To cause someone to feel very angry

9.6

To try to do something too big to finish

6.0

Hot food or drink that is not bubbling so you can use it

Compounds

boil smut
  • Archaic
9.9

A disease of corn that makes grey-white bumps burst and show black dust

Delhi boil
  • Archaic
9.9

A skin disease that makes open sores on exposed skin after sandfly bites

Aleppo boil
  • Archaic
9.4

A skin disease that causes painful open sores

How Hot

boil
88 1.3
simmer
11 3.4
warmth
90 1.0
cold
131 1.0

Surface Forms

boil singular
boils plural

Etymology

The word boil comes from the simple image of a liquid making many 'bubbles' when it gets hot. So a boil is the point when a liquid bubbles strongly and turns to 'steam'.