boil over

verb

boiled over; boiling over; boils over

intransitive verb

1
: to overflow while boiling
2
: to become so incensed as to lose one's temper
boilover noun

Examples of boil over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Place brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium. Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024 Michigan’s rivalry with Ohio State boiled over Saturday after the unranked Wolverines beat the No. 2 Buckeyes — resulting in a massive post-game fight televised on Fox. Claire Franken, TVLine, 30 Nov. 2024 The clashes earlier this month were the latest flashpoint in a broader dispute between Canada and India, which has simmered for decades but boiled over in the last year over the assassination of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Lex Harvey, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024 There are plenty of reasons to feel discouraged now, and probably just as many reasons to let your rage boil over. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for boil over 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boil over was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near boil over

Cite this Entry

“Boil over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil%20over. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

boil over

verb
1
: to overflow while boiling
2
: to become so angry as to lose one's temper

More from Merriam-Webster on boil over

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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