Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to form bubbles

to form bubbles

1 2.9
Make small round pockets of air inside or on a liquid
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : formar burbujas
  • As the magma in the chamber cools, crystals form and volatile compounds trapped within the remaining melt exsolve to form bubbles.

Examples

  • Those ampophiles then form bubbles of their own around particles, including the viruses RNA and proteins.

  • The main risk from diving is posed by dissolved nitrogen in the blood and tissues forming bubbles as a diver ascends.

  • Continue cooking until the liquid begins to form bubbles.

  • Stir until the yeast starts forming bubbles.

  • If the mixture is too thin at this point, return to heat and simmer until the mixture forms bubbles again.

Synonyms

to bubble
vsto form bubbles
32 1.0

To make small round pockets of air appear in a liquid

is the same action but expressed as a two word phrase
to foam
vsto form bubbles
23 1.7

To become covered with small bubbles, like milk when heated

focuses on making small pockets rather than forming a thick covering
to bubble up
vsto form bubbles
19 3.7

To move up in bubbles or appear suddenly

focuses on creating pockets anywhere, not specifically rising or surfacing
to froth
vsto form bubbles
10 3.0

To make small bubbles form on the surface of a liquid

is used more generally for making pockets not only a surface mass
to sparkle
vsto form bubbles
6 3.0

To form many small bubbles, as in champagne

describes the physical act of creating pockets, not the bright visual effect
to fizz
vsto form bubbles
3 3.0

To make bubbles and a soft hissing sound in a liquid

focuses on forming pockets without the audible hissing or spluttering effect
to foam up
vsto form bubbles
1 2.8

To become covered with bubbles

describes making pockets without stressing the upward or covering process
to effervesce
vsto form bubbles
1 8.2

To make small bubbles in a liquid or to behave in a lively, excited way

is the simple physical making of pockets, not necessarily showing energy or excitement
to suds
vsto form bubbles
5.3

To form bubbles and foam in a liquid

is a general term for making pockets, not limited to cleaning use

How Bubbly

to foam
23 1.7
to froth
10 3.0
to form bubbles
1 2.9
to fizz
3 3.0

Surface Forms

bubble infinitive
bubbled past
bubbled past participle
bubbling present participle
bubbles third person singular

Morphology

form + bubble

The meaning 'to produce small pockets of air in a liquid' is directly built from the literal meanings of 'form' (to create or take shape) and 'bubbles' (small pockets of air), so a B1 learner who knows both words can derive the MWE. This is a straightforward compositional event-descriptive phrase common across languages and not idiomatic or metaphorical.

Etymology

Form bubbles comes from the simple picture of a liquid making small round pockets of air called bubbles that form on the surface when you shake or stir it. So the phrase means 'to make small round pockets of air or gas in a liquid'.