26984 words

boil

14 definitions • 20 examples
1
to reach, or cause something to reach, the temperature at which a liquid starts to turn into a gas:

Examples:

She scalded herself on some boiling water.
If you give water to a small baby to drink, you have to boil it first.
2
to heat a container, especially one used for cooking, until the liquid in it starts to turn into a gas:

Examples:

The pan's boiling.
mainly UK Could you boil the kettle for me?
3
to cook food by putting it in water that is boiling:

Examples:

4
If a container or food boils dry, all the liquid in the container in which the food was cooking turns to gas:

Examples:

He'd left a pan of water on the stove and it had boiled dry.
5
to wash clothes in a container of very hot water
6
to be extremely angry:

Examples:

boil with He was boiling with rage.
7
a painful swelling on the skin that is filled with pus (= thick, yellow liquid)
8
the act of washing or cooking something in very hot water
9
the state of boiling:

Examples:

bring something to a boil Bring the water to a boil, then add the pasta.
bring something to the boil UK Bring the water to the boil, then add the pasta.
Let the liquid come to a boil and then reduce the heat.
As the liquid comes to a boil, whisk it lightly.
Bring the sauce very gently to a boil and let it simmer for ten minutes.
Add half a teaspoon of salt and bring to the boil.
10
(of a liquid) to start to turn into a gas because of being heated, or to cause a liquid to turn into a gas in this way:

Examples:

[ I ] The water is boiling.
[ T ] We’d better boil this water before we drink it.
11
If you say that a container has boiled, the liquid in it has started to turn into a gas:

Examples:

[ I ] The pot’s beginning to boil.
12
If food boils, or you boil food, it is cooked by being put in water that is heated until the water is in the process of turning into a gas:

Examples:

[ T ] I boiled some potatoes for dinner.
13
a painful, red swelling on the skin that is filled with pus (= a yellow liquid from an infection)
14
If you bring something to a boil, or let something come to a boil, you heat it until it starts to turn into a gas:

Examples:

Bring the water to a boil, then add the pasta.

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