boil
boyl
Boil (verb) means to heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to vapor. Example: “Boil the water before adding the pasta.”
verb
1
To heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to vapor.
"Boil the water before adding the pasta."
"The kettle takes about three minutes to boil."
"Once the soup begins to boil, turn down the heat."
noun
1
A painful, swollen, pus-filled lump on the skin caused by infection.
"The boil on his neck needed to be lanced by a doctor."
"A painful boil appeared on her arm and slowly grew larger."
"The nurse told him not to squeeze the boil himself."
How to use boil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo heat a liquid to bubbling point — or, as a noun, a painful infected swelling on the skin.
Common mistake
These are two historically separate words that happen to be spelled the same; don't assume a connection between "the water boils" and "a boil on the skin."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bring to a boil
boil water
lance a boil
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Word forms
- Plural
- boils
- Third person singular
- boils
- Past tense
- boiled, boilt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the water before adding the pasta.
Etymology
From Old English byle/byl, "swelling," related to Dutch buil and German Beule — both meaning "boil" or "swelling."
Related words
Rhymes for boil
See all rhymes for boil →Frequently asked questions
What does “boil” mean?
The word “boil” means to heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to vapor. In plain terms, to heat a liquid to bubbling point — or, as a noun, a painful infected swelling on the skin.
How do you pronounce “boil”?
“Boil” is pronounced boyl (/bɔɪ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “boil” in a sentence?
Here is “boil” used in a sentence: “Boil the water before adding the pasta.”
What part of speech is “boil”?
Depending on how it is used, “boil” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “boil” come from?
The word “boil” comes from Old English. From Old English byle/byl, "swelling," related to Dutch buil and German Beule — both meaning "boil" or "swelling.".
Is “boil” a common word?
“Boil” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “boil” have?
“Boil” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to vapor.
What is the difference between boil and simmer?
Boil means heating a liquid until it bubbles vigorously and turns to vapor, typically at its highest temperature, while simmer refers to cooking a liquid at a lower temperature with gentler, smaller bubbles just below boiling point. Recipes often instruct bringing something to a boil before reducing it to a simmer.
What is the difference between a boil and a pimple?
A boil is a painful, swollen, pus-filled lump on the skin caused by infection, usually larger and deeper than a pimple, which is a smaller blemish typically linked to clogged pores. Boils often require medical attention if they do not drain or heal on their own.
What does it mean to bring something to a boil?
To bring something to a boil means to heat a liquid until it reaches the point where it bubbles and turns to vapor. This is a common step in cooking instructions before adding other ingredients or reducing the heat.
