boiling summer

USAGE SUMMARY

'boiling summer' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the sultry and oppressive heat of a summer day. For example, "The sky was a hazy shade of blue, indicating that the boiling summer was about to reach its peak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Best made over several days, cassoulet is the perfect winter warmer, though I once saw sweaty tourists in Carcassonne tucking in on a boiling summer day.

Independent

In 1987, border agents found 18 dead illegal immigrants in a freight train that had stopped in Sierra Blanca, Tex., on a boiling summer day.

The New York Times

The heat of the Arizona desert connected with me instantly when I first read it, on a boiling summer holiday in Sicily.

The Guardian - Books

When A Bend in the River, possibly his masterpiece, was published in 1979, I was living in America and I can still recall the excitement of handling the beautifully produced Knopf edition and travelling with Salim into Naipaul's heart of darkness in the boiling summer heat of New York City.

The Guardian

Cool shade with the murmur of water is the equivalent of a long, deliciously cold drink on a boiling summer's day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe it's not the best idea to go running outdoors in the boiling summer heat, but now is your time to sign up for a gym membership, participate in a group exercise class or hit the pool.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The good news, she argues, is that the trend should reverse with improving weather.Oil markets, boiling last summer, have cooled too.

The Economist

In a perfect world, I wouldn't have spent seven hours boiling Christmas puddings in saucepans on the hob either.

The Guardian - Books

"The Piano Teacher," which is based on a boiling 1983 novel by the Austrian writer Elfriede Jelinek, is about sadomasochism as an implacable human destiny.

The New Yorker

Preventing the target from boiling (1,665 °C) is another advantage of LBE [22].

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Figure 2 Water expulsion from a boiling spring discharging towards the crater lake (top) inside the active crater of El Chichón volcano, Mexico.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boiling summer" to vividly describe periods of extreme heat, particularly when emphasizing discomfort or challenging conditions caused by the high temperatures.

Common error

Avoid using "boiling summer" in highly formal or scientific writing; opt for more precise meteorological terms like "extreme heat conditions" or "high-temperature period" for greater clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "boiling summer" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "boiling", which intensifies the heat, with the noun "summer" to vividly portray a period of extreme heat. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in journalistic and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boiling summer" is a descriptive phrase used to vividly convey the intensity and oppressiveness of summer heat. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct, although relatively uncommon, and primarily found in news and media contexts. While effective for descriptive writing, it's best to avoid using it in formal or scientific contexts, opting for more precise language instead. Alternatives like "scorching summer" or "sweltering summer" offer similar connotations. When writing, consider using "boiling summer" to enhance the descriptive impact of your writing, particularly when you want to emphasize the discomfort associated with extreme heat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scorching summer

Emphasizes the burning and intense nature of the heat.

sweltering summer

Highlights the oppressive and suffocating quality of the heat.

blazing summer

Focuses on the bright, intense heat, like a fire.

sizzling summer

Suggests a heat so intense it's almost palpable, like something frying.

oppressive summer heat

Directly states the burdensome and uncomfortable aspect of the heat.

intense summer heat

A more straightforward description of strong heat during summer.

ferocious summer

Implies a wild and untamed intensity of heat.

torrid summer

Highlights the passionate and extremely hot nature of the summer.

fiery summer

Suggests a burning, almost destructive level of heat.

extremely hot summer

A simple and direct way to describe a summer with high temperatures.

FAQs

How can I use "boiling summer" in a sentence?

You can use "boiling summer" to describe a period of intense heat, such as, "The tourists struggled to cope with the boiling summer in the city."

What are some alternatives to "boiling summer"?

Alternatives include "scorching summer", "sweltering summer", or "blazing summer", each conveying a similar sense of intense heat.

Is "boiling summer" a formal or informal expression?

"Boiling summer" is generally considered an informal expression, best suited for descriptive writing or casual conversation rather than formal reports or scientific papers.

What's the difference between "boiling summer" and "hot summer"?

"Boiling summer" implies a more extreme and oppressive heat than a simply "hot summer". It suggests a level of heat that is almost unbearable.