boiling — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The process of changing the state of a substance from liquid to gas by heating it to its boiling point.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Antonyms

   freezing

2. The cooking (of food) or cleaning (of an object) by immersing it in liquid (usually water) that is boiling.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. A turmoil; a disturbance like that of bubbling water.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Figurative

4. An animation style with constantly changing wavy outlines, giving a shimmering or wobbling appearance.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Uncountable

Adjective

1. That boils or boil.

   Examples

   boiling kettle boiling oil

2. Of a thing: extremely hot or active.

   Usage

   • excessive
   • Informal

   Examples

   The radiator is boiling – I’m going to turn it down a bit.

   More examples (1)

   With a little manœuvring they contrived to meet on the doorstep which now, in mid-morning, was in a boiling stream of passers-by, hurrying business people speeding past in a flurry of fumes and dust in the bright haze.

   As I collected some individuals from a nest, an alarm was sent and a boiling mass of ants issued from the colony.

3. Of a person: feeling uncomfortably hot.

   Usage

   • excessive
   • Informal

   Synonyms

   steamingcookingbakingfrying

   Examples

   I’m boiling – can’t we open a window?

4. Of the weather: very hot.

   Usage

   • excessive
   • Informal

   Examples

   It’s boiling out today!

Adverb

1. Extremely

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • of adjectives associated with heat

   Examples

   He was boiling mad.

Noun

1. the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas

   Broader terms

   heatingwarmingvaporizationvaporisationvaporvapourevaporation

2. cooking in a liquid that has been brought to a boil

   Synonyms

   stewingsimmering

   Broader terms

   cookingcookerypreparation

Adverb

1. passionately or agitatedly

   Examples

   boiling mad