simmer

[ sim-er ]

/ ˈsɪm ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR simmer ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

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

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

to be in a state of subdued or restrained activity, development, excitement, anger, etc.: The town simmered with rumors.

verb (used with object)

to keep (liquid) in a state approaching boiling.

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

noun

the state or process of simmering.

Verb Phrases

simmer down,

to reduce in volume by simmering.
Slang. to become calm or quiet, as from a state of anger or turmoil: We waited for the audience to simmer down.

Nearby words

Origin of simmer

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

Related formssim·mer·ing·ly, adverbre·sim·mer, verbun·sim·mered, adjectiveun·sim·mer·ing, adjective

Synonym study

3. See boil¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for simmer

Add the butter, chicken stock, salt, bay leaf, thyme, and tarragon and bring to a simmer.
Daniel Boulud Reveals His 4 Favorite Recipes From His New Cookbook|Daniel Boulud|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Transfer the halves and cylinders to a medium sauté pan with the chicken stock and butter and bring to a simmer.
Daniel Boulud Reveals His 4 Favorite Recipes From His New Cookbook|Daniel Boulud|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Add the vinegar, bring to a simmer, then stir in the chicken stock.
Daniel Boulud Reveals His 4 Favorite Recipes From His New Cookbook|Daniel Boulud|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In a small saucepan, combine the yogurt, cream, and vadouvan spice and bring to a simmer.
Daniel Boulud Reveals His 4 Favorite Recipes From His New Cookbook|Daniel Boulud|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Add the remaining tomatoes, cover, and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Daniel Boulud Reveals His 4 Favorite Recipes From His New Cookbook|Daniel Boulud|October 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Simmer for five minutes, then add two pounds of shelled peas, six small raw French carrots and one dozen raw fresh asparagus tips.
The Hotel St. Francis Cook Book|Victor Hirtzler
Put back the rings of onions into this, and let them simmer gently.
Cassell's Vegetarian Cookery|A. G. Payne
Simmer the flakes of two crabs and one-half of a chopped onion in butter.
The Hotel St. Francis Cook Book|Victor Hirtzler
Simmer by side of fire for twenty minutes, skimming carefully.
Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode|Harriet A. de Salis
Moisten with a pint of consomm (stock, Art. 1), and simmer them gently for two hours.
French Dishes for American Tables|Pierre Caron

British Dictionary definitions for simmer

simmer

/ (ˈsɪmə) /

verb

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

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

noun

the act, sound, or state of simmering

Word Origin for simmer

C17: perhaps of imitative origin; compare German summen to hum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for simmer

simmer

1650s, alteration of simperen "to simmer" (late 15c.), possibly imitative; not thought to be connected to simper (v.). OED says the change is "probably due to a feeling of phonetic appropriateness." Figurative sense, of feelings, "to be agitated" is from 1764. Opposite sense, in simmer down, first recorded 1871, probably from the notion of moving from a full boil to a mere simmer.

I must and will keep shady and quiet till Bret Harte simmers down a little. [Mark Twain, letter, 1871]

Related: Simmered; simmering. The noun meaning "a condition of simmering" is from 1809.

simmer

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Verb Phrases

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Nearby words

Origin of simmer

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for simmer

simmer

verb

noun

Word Origin for simmer

simmer