simmer

American  

[sim-er] / ˈsɪm ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to cook or cook in a liquid at or just below the boiling point.

2. to make a gentle murmuring sound, as liquids cooking just below the boiling point.

3. to be in a state of subdued or restrained activity, development, excitement, anger, etc..

   The town simmered with rumors.

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verb (used with object)

1. to keep (liquid) in a state approaching boiling.

2. to cook in a liquid that is kept at or just below the boiling point.

noun

1. the state or process of simmering.

verb phrase

1. simmer down

   1. to reduce in volume by simmering.

   2. Slang. to become calm or quiet, as from a state of anger or turmoil.

      We waited for the audience to simmer down.

simmer British  

/ ˈsɪmə /

verb

1. to cook (food) gently at or just below the boiling point

2. (intr) to be about to break out in rage or excitement

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noun

1. the act, sound, or state of simmering

Related Words

See boil ¹.

Other Word Forms

• resimmer verb
• simmeringly adverb
• unsimmered adjective
• unsimmering adjective

Etymology

Origin of simmer

First recorded in 1645–55; alteration of earlier simper < ?

Explanation

Usually when you're making a soup, you want to bring it to a boil and then let it simmer, cooking it just below the boiling point to get all the flavors to release. The word simmer is usually used to describe the temperature just below boiling or the process of cooking something at that temperature. But it can also be used to describe a feeling that's been simmering or slowly developing over time. It's also a word used to describe suppressed anger — that feeling just before you boil over. Just in case you do boil over, you might need to take a moment to simmer down, a casual expression that means, "Chill out, my friend."

Example Sentences

Add a can of white beans and a few cups of broth, then let it simmer briefly.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Traders will have the weekend to let that one simmer.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

U.S.-Iran tensions continued to simmer, as the U.S. move to send a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East gave oil traders jitters and sent crude prices higher.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Even as Singh takes office, tensions in Manipur continue to simmer.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

“Keeps other noises down to a simmer so I can hear my T-bone playing in my head.”

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

Related Words

• bubble
• burn
• churn
• ferment
• rage
• seethe
• stew
• stir
• warm