boil

boilverb

To boil is to become so hot that it turns to steam, to cook in boiling water, or, of a strong feeling, to become impossible to control.

1. of a liquid(of a liquid) become so hot that it changes into steam

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • The water is boiling; you can add the pasta now.
   • Boil some water for the tea. V + obj
   • Let the soup boil for a minute, then turn down the heat.
   • Milk can boil over quickly if you don't watch it.

   Collocations

   verb + noun boil water

   phrase come to a boil, bring something to a boil

   Compare simmer (simmer is cooking gently just below boiling point); cook

2. cookcook food in boiling water

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] cooking

   • Boil the eggs for about ten minutes. V + obj
   • I usually boil the potatoes before I roast them. V + obj
   • The potatoes are still boiling; give them a few more minutes.

   Collocations

   verb + noun boil an egg, boil potatoes, boil rice, boil vegetables

   Compare steam (steam cooks food above boiling water, not in it); fry

3. with angerfeel a very strong emotion, especially anger, that you find hard to control

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • She was boiling with anger by the time the meeting ended. V + prep + obj
   • He'd been boiling with resentment for weeks before he finally spoke up. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition boil with anger, boil with rage

   For translators (sense 3)

   Meaning across languages The picture is a liquid getting hotter and hotter until it cannot be contained; many languages use a similar image for growing anger.

See also boil down to; boil over