simmer
Americanverb (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
verb phrase
verb
-
to cook (food) gently at or just below the boiling point
-
(intr) to be about to break out in rage or excitement
noun
Synonym Usage
See boil 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
simmersimple
-
simmerssimple
-
have simmeredperfect
-
has simmeredperfect
-
am simmeringprogressive
-
are simmeringprogressive
-
is simmeringprogressive
-
have been simmeringperfect progressive
-
has been simmeringperfect progressive
Past
-
simmeredsimple
-
had simmeredperfect
-
was simmeringprogressive
-
were simmeringprogressive
-
had been simmeringperfect progressive
Future
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."
Vocabulary lists containing simmer
Out of the Dust
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Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird
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Blanch, Poach, and Scald: Cooking Methods
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Simmer until the liquid reduces and the starches thicken into something spoonable and lush.
From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026
Simmer Amira says it's especially important for a life simulation game such as The Sims to include as many people as possible.
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2025
Simmer and continue stirring, letting the stew come to a near-boil.
From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2024
Excelled on the “Triple Crown” line with Dionne and Charlie Simmer, combining to light up goaltenders around the NHL.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2023
Simmer for a few minutes, and when sufficiently cool, bathe the parts with a soft sponge.
From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
