BOIL DOWN

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does boil down mean? 

• BOIL DOWN (verb)
  The verb BOIL DOWN has 3 senses:

1. be the essential element

2. be cooked until very little liquid is left

3. cook until very little liquid is left

  Familiarity information: BOIL DOWN used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BOIL DOWN (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be the essential element

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

boil down; come down; reduce

Context example:

The proposal boils down to a compromise

Hypernyms (to "boil down" is one way to...):

become; turn (undergo a change or development)

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Be cooked until very little liquid is left

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

boil down; concentrate; decoct; reduce

Context example:

The sauce should reduce to one cup

Hypernyms (to "boil down" is one way to...):

decrease; diminish; fall; lessen (decrease in size, extent, or range)

Domain category:

cookery; cooking; preparation (the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 3

Meaning:

Cook until very little liquid is left

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

boil down; concentrate; reduce

Context example:

The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time

Hypernyms (to "boil down" is one way to...):

decrease; lessen; minify (make smaller)

Domain category:

cookery; cooking; preparation (the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something