boiling

American  

[boi-ling] / ˈbɔɪ lɪŋ /

adjective

1. having reached the boiling point; steaming or bubbling up under the action of heat.

   boiling water.

2. fiercely churning or swirling.

   the boiling seas.

3. (of anger, rage, etc.) intense; fierce; heated.

---

adverb

1. to an extreme extent; very.

   August is usually boiling hot; boiling mad.

boiling British  

/ ˈbɔɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. very warm

   a boiling hot day

---

noun

1. slang the whole lot

Other Word Forms

• boilingly adverb
• half-boiling adjective
• nonboiling adjective

Etymology

Origin of boiling

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; boil ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Bacteria are remarkably adaptable, thriving in some of the harshest places on Earth, from boiling hot springs to deep freezes far below zero.

From Science Daily

Customers have been warned that boiling the water will not make it safe to drink.

From BBC

It said some 500 homes and businesses had been affected and water could only be used for flushing toilets - warning that boiling the contaminated water would not make it safe for other uses.

From BBC

And then Jonah felt the anger boiling up inside of him.

From Literature

Then, one rumbling, earthshaking day, it had poured out its heart of boiling, rolling, melting lava, and the round green peak had been blown away.

From Literature

Related Words

• baking
• fiery
• scalding
• scorching
• sizzling