simmer

American  

[sim-er] / ˈsɪm ər /

verb (used without object)

• simmers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• simmered,
  past participle,  past
• simmering
  present participle

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)

• simmers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• simmered,
  past participle,  past
• simmering
  present participle

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

• simmers
  plural

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

Synonym Usage

See boil ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• simmers
  plural

Participles

• simmering
  present
• simmered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• simmer
  simple
• simmers
  simple
• have simmered
  perfect
• has simmered
  perfect
• am simmering
  progressive
• are simmering
  progressive
• is simmering
  progressive
• have been simmering
  perfect progressive
• has been simmering
  perfect progressive

Past

• simmered
  simple
• had simmered
  perfect
• was simmering
  progressive
• were simmering
  progressive
• had been simmering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will simmer
  simple
• will have simmered
  perfect
• will be simmering
  progressive
• will have been simmering
  perfect progressive

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

See Examples For:

simmer simmers simmered simmering

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat as needed to maintain it.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Analysts expect the current cycle to simmer during Micron’s fiscal 2028, which ends in August 2028.

From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026

The lentils simmer in stock — or broth, or water and bouillon — until soft and stewy, and then comes the ingredient that makes the entire recipe sing white American cheese.

From Salon ● May 19, 2026

Beneath the cocktails, boat trips and villa life, tensions simmer and emotions rise.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

When she had finished mixing her herbs she let the small bowl simmer on the stove, then she took from her black bag a large lump of fresh, black clay.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

As the conflict between the U.S. and Iran simmers, investors and consumers are wondering what to expect for oil and fuel prices.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 24, 2026

Auriemma and UConn had a chance to put it behind them and now this thing simmers as South Carolina walks into its Sunday final against UCLA.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

Garlic simmers in huge metal pots heated over open wood fires and set up in a long line.

From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025

A cut from her upcoming EP, due in April, “The Betrayal” is a sultry baile funk song that simmers with righteous indignation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2025

There is high laughter that simmers down slowly.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Peeled russet potatoes, lettuce and three cups of water are then thrown into the mix, boiled and, finally, simmered.

From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026

Meaning: Do you want your dish smothered in sauce made from roasted green chiles, or a simmered counterpart fashioned from dried red chile pods?

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

On an embroidered picnic laid out on the grass, a group of friends chatted over tea as food simmered gently on a gas stove.

From Barron's ● Apr. 2, 2026

Conflict between the two companies has simmered for years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

Time beat past them, and Pet simmered in a corner, but Jam ignored it, focusing on Redemption.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi

But what an image: an observatory dome bubbling out of a boil of smaller domes, like an idea simmering in a crucible.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

China remains locked in a simmering trade feud with the EU, with which it recorded a trade surplus of $32.9 billion in June.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

The tensions over US access to British military bases during the Iran War are still simmering as well.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

So sore loser or not, he tapped into a lack of faith in elected officials and simmering frustration with City Hall, which happen to be the essence of today’s column.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2026

Also, he completely creeps me out—his face, his eyes, the simmering anger in his voice.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

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