covered with boils

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covered with boils" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts describing a person or animal afflicted with skin lesions or sores, often in a medical or literary context. Example: "The character in the novel was described as being covered with boils, a reflection of his suffering and misfortune."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He became covered with boils.

The Guardian

Now those eyes are closed, and his face is covered with boils and lesions".

The New Yorker

God gives Satan permission, and soon Job is covered with boils from head to toe.

The New Yorker

According to Rani and Kaveri, within seconds Yellamma had become sickly and ugly, covered with boils and festering sores.

The New Yorker

The Met's oldest African piece is here: a twisting terra-cotta figure of a man, his back covered with boils or jewels — was he meant to record or ward off a plague?

The New York Times - Arts

They post pictures of their children covered with boils and burns on social media", she said.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

(Put the can in a pot and boil for three hours; keep the can covered with boiling water or it will overheat and may explode).

The New York Times

But when I visited, the tables around me were covered with boiled seafood (the restaurant's specialty and the reason for the gloves and bibs) in plastic bags tucked into metal bowls, accompanied by half-cobs of corn.

The New York Times - Food

First, I cooked three pots of beans: one soaked overnight, one quick-soaked (brought to a boil and left to sit, covered for one hour), and one simply covered with boiling water.

Los Angeles Times

Instead, they must be covered with boiling water and allowed to cook off the stove.

WikiHow

Cover with boiling water, return to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "covered with boils", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause or source of the boils to enhance understanding and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "covered with boils" in casual or lighthearted contexts, as it is a graphic and unpleasant image that can be jarring or inappropriate if used without careful consideration of the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "covered with boils" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (usually a person or animal) to indicate they are afflicted with a significant number of boils. Ludwig examples show it used to describe physical suffering or disease states.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "covered with boils" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to depict a state of severe skin affliction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in formal and neutral contexts, often found in news, media, and scientific writing. While the phrase is not very common, it is used to vividly portray suffering or disease. Alternatives include "afflicted with sores" or "infested with pustules". When using this phrase, consider the audience and context to ensure the graphic imagery is appropriate. The most frequent authoritative sources are The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afflicted with sores

Replaces "boils" with the broader term "sores", indicating a more general skin ailment.

infested with pustules

Uses "pustules" for a more specific type of lesion and "infested" to emphasize the severity.

stricken with skin eruptions

Emphasizes the sudden and severe nature of the skin condition.

ridden with lesions

Implies a chronic and debilitating skin condition.

affected by a severe skin disease

A more clinical and general way to describe the condition.

suffering from a boil outbreak

Focuses on the active and spreading nature of the boil condition.

having a body full of boils

Describes the state more directly and emphasizes the extent of the affliction.

overrun with skin abscesses

Presents a more severe and widespread infection scenario.

marred by numerous skin lesions

Focuses on the disfiguring aspect of the condition.

affected by a plague of boils

Implies a widespread and devastating outbreak of boils.

FAQs

How can I describe someone with many boils?

You can say they are "covered with boils", "afflicted with sores", or "infested with pustules" depending on the severity and context.

Is "covered in boils" grammatically correct?

While "covered in boils" is sometimes used, "covered with boils" is more grammatically standard and widely accepted in formal writing.

What does it mean when someone is described as "covered with boils" in literature?

In literature, being "covered with boils" often symbolizes suffering, misfortune, or divine punishment, drawing on biblical references like the story of Job.

Are there less graphic ways to describe a similar skin condition?

Yes, you can use less graphic alternatives like "affected by a severe skin disease" or "suffering from a skin eruption" to convey the condition without being overly descriptive.