- boil
- I UK [bɔɪl] / US
verb
Word forms "boil":
present tense I/you/we/they boil he/she/it boils present participle boiling past tense boiled past participle boiled
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1)a) [intransitive/transitive] if a liquid boils, or if you boil it, it becomes so hot that there are bubbles in it and it starts to become a gasWhen the water boils, add the rice.
put something on to boil (= put liquid in a container and heat it until it boils):Boil some milk in a pan.
She put two pans of soup on to boil.
b) if a container boils, or if you boil it, the liquid in it boilsHe stood in the kitchen waiting for the pan to boil.
boil dry (= boil until there is no liquid left):I'll just boil the kettle and we can have some tea.
The saucepan had boiled dry and the carrots were burnt.
2) [transitive] to cook food in water that is boilingHow long does it take to boil an egg?
a) [intransitive] to be cooked in water that is boilingput something on to boil (= start to cook something in hot water):The pasta needs to boil for 10 minutes.
Can you put the vegetables on to boil, please?
b) [transitive] to wash clothes in water that is boiling3) [intransitive] to feel something such as anger very stronglyboil with rage/anger:James felt the fury boiling within him.
Phrasal verbs:Boiling with rage, Kate slammed the car door and drove off.
- boil upSee:blood
II UK [bɔɪl] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "boil":
singular boil plural boilsa painful lump on your skin that has become infected and is filled with pus (= an unpleasant yellow liquid)•
English dictionary. 2014.