boil

The state of a liquid when it is hot enough to bubble and turn into gas.

• Bring the water to a boil.
• Keep the soup at a gentle boil.
• The sauce reached a full boil in minutes.

How to use it: bring something to a boil (Bring the milk to a boil.)

Common phrases: rolling boil, bring to boil, boil over, come to boil

A painful swollen spot on the skin containing thick yellow or white liquid from an infection.

• A boil appeared on his neck.
• The nurse checked the painful boil.
• She had several boils on her arm.

How to use it: a boil on something (He had a boil on his leg.)

Similar words: abscess, carbuncle, cyst, furuncle

Common phrases: painful boil, boil on something

One period of heating a liquid until it bubbles.

• Give the water a good boil.
• A quick boil softened the vegetables.
• After a second boil, the liquid looked clearer.

How to use it: give something a boil (Give the water a quick boil before using it.)

Common phrases: quick boil, good boil

If a liquid does this, it becomes hot enough to bubble and turn into gas.

• The water is starting to boil.
• The milk boiled while I was out.
• Does water boil at a lower temperature here?

Common phrases: boil rapidly, boil gently, water boil

To cook food in water or another liquid that is very hot and bubbling.

• Boil the potatoes until they are soft.
• I boiled two eggs for breakfast.
• How long should I boil this pasta?

How to use it: boil something for a period of time (Boil the eggs for six minutes.)

Common phrases: boil eggs, boil potatoes, boil something gently

To feel extremely hot and uncomfortable.

• I am boiling in this coat.
• We were boiling inside the crowded bus.
• Open a window; everyone is boiling!

Similar words: overheat, swelter

Opposites: freeze

Common phrases: boil in something, boil inside