What does "boiling" mean?

1. (extremely hot weather) used to describe weather or a room that is uncomfortably hot. 2. (at boiling point) liquid that has reached the temperature where it turns into steam. 3. (the process of heating) the process of heating a liquid until it bubbles and turns to gas. 4. (extremely) used before 'hot' to mean extremely hot.

How do you use "boiling"?

Often used with 'absolutely' rather than 'very' because it is an ungradable adjective. Almost exclusively found in the collocation 'boiling hot'.

Is it correct to say "It is very boiling today."?

No — say "It is absolutely boiling today.". Boiling is an 'extreme' adjective. Use 'absolutely' or 'completely' instead of 'very' to add emphasis.

boiling

adj. · n. · adv.

US //ˈbɔɪɫɪŋ// UK //bˈɔɪlɪŋ// boil·ing

1 extremely hot weather (adj.)
A2 Elementary Informal

used to describe weather or a room that is uncomfortably hot.

denoting weather or ambient conditions of extreme heat. Informal in register when used as a synonym for 'very hot'.

Example

Can we open a window? It is boiling in this office.

Example

The commuters huddled under the few patches of shade available on the platform, complaining that the afternoon was absolutely boiling.

Usage

Often used with 'absolutely' rather than 'very' because it is an ungradable adjective.
- scorching
- sweltering
- roasting
- freezing
- chilly
Pitfall

It is very boiling today.

It is absolutely boiling today.

Boiling is an 'extreme' adjective. Use 'absolutely' or 'completely' instead of 'very' to add emphasis.
2 at boiling point (adj.)
B1 Intermediate Science

liquid that has reached the temperature where it turns into steam.

referring to a liquid that has reached its boiling point and is actively bubbling and vaporising.

Example

Be careful with that boiling water when you make the tea.

Example

The recipe requires you to pour the boiling liquid over the dried fruit and let it steep for at least twenty minutes.
- bubbling
- scalding
- frozen
- tepid

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 the process of heating (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

the process of heating a liquid until it bubbles and turns to gas.

the physical process of rapid vaporisation of a liquid, typically occurring when it is heated to its boiling point.

Example

The boiling of the water took longer than usual because of the high altitude.

Example

The rapid boiling of the solvent ensured that the impurities were carried away in the steam, leaving the purified compound behind.
- vaporisation
- ebullition
- freezing
- condensation
4 extremely (adv.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

used before 'hot' to mean extremely hot.

an intensifier used exclusively with the adjective 'hot'.

Example

The soup was boiling hot, so I had to wait a few minutes to eat it.

Example

After hiking all day in the sun, the trekkers were grateful for a dip in the lake, even though the air remained boiling hot.

Usage

Almost exclusively found in the collocation 'boiling hot'.
- extremely
- intensely

Origin

From boil + -ing.

Idioms5 entries