broil

¹

[ broil ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cook by direct heat, as on a gridiron over the heat or in an oven under the heat; grill:

   to broil a steak.

2. to scorch; make very hot.

verb (used without object)

1. to be subjected to great heat; become broiled.
2. to burn with impatience, annoyance, etc.

noun

1. the act or state of broiling; state of being broiled.
2. something broiled, especially meat:

   She ordered a beef broil and salad.

broil

²

[ broil ]

noun

1. an angry quarrel or struggle; disturbance; tumult:

   a violent broil over who was at fault.

verb (used without object)

1. to quarrel; brawl.

broil

¹

/ brɔɪl /

verb

1. to cook (meat, fish, etc) by direct heat, as under a grill or over a hot fire, or (of meat, fish, etc) to be cooked in this way Usual equivalent (in Britain and other countries)grill
2. to become or cause to become extremely hot
3. intr to be furious

noun

1. the process of broiling
2. something broiled

broil

²

/ brɔɪl /

noun

1. a loud quarrel or disturbance; brawl

verb

1. intr to brawl; quarrel

Other Words From

• broiling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of broil¹

1300–50; Middle English brulen, brolyn, broillen < Anglo-French bruill ( i ) er, broil ( l ) er, Old French brusler, brul ( l ) er to burn ( French brûler ), a conflation of the verbs represented by Old French bruir to burn (< Frankish *brōjan; compare Middle High German brü ( ej ) en, German brühen to scald) and usler < Latin ustulāre to scorch

Origin of broil²

1400–50; late Middle English broylen to present in disorder, quarrel < Anglo-French, Old French broiller to jumble together < Gallo-Romance *brodiculāre, equivalent to *brod- (< Germanic; broth, brewis ) + Late Latin -iculāre v. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of broil¹

C14: from Old French bruillir to burn, of uncertain origin

Origin of broil²

C16: from Old French brouiller to mix, from breu broth; see brewis , brose

Example Sentences

It’s a really nice quiet restaurant and I get my combo plate with broiled salmon, tamagoyaki, soup, rice and little pickles.

From Los Angeles Times

After almost a week of record-breaking high temperatures, Californians should begin to see some relief from the oppressive October heat wave that has broiled inland areas — and even some coastal regions — across the state.

From Los Angeles Times

Daily temperature records around California continued to be set this week as an unusual October heat wave broiled the state and stymied firefighters’ efforts to get blazes in Southern California under control.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s generally a plea for social tolerance beneath the broiling surface.

From Los Angeles Times

The oppressive heat wave broiling Southern California and the Southwestern U.S. is expected to bring triple-digit temperatures to much of the region for at least the next few days.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• roast
• sear