simper
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
(intr) to smile coyly, affectedly, or in a silly self-conscious way
-
(tr) to utter (something) in a simpering manner
noun
Other Word Forms
- simperer noun
- simpering adjective
- simperingly adverb
- unsimpering adjective
Etymology
Origin of simper
First recorded in 1560–70; related to the Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Swiss dialect adjective semper “affected, coy,” German zimpfer “dainty, affected,” and to Middle Dutch zimperlijc “affected, coy”; further etymology unknown
Explanation
To simper means to smile in an artificial, coy or self-conscious way. If you hope to please someone by simpering, you may wind up annoying him or her. The origin of the word simper is not clear, but it is probably Germanic as there are similar words in Danish as well as Middle Dutch. What is clear is that a simper is not attractive to those observing it. Watching your colleague simper and giggle as the boss tells a not-very-funny joke, you can be sure that she is angling for that promotion.
Vocabulary lists containing simper
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The Lingo of Body Language
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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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.
“I just could not simper, flutter my eyelids or gaze adoringly into the leading man’s eyes … my performance was as inadequate as I feared it would be.”
From The Guardian • Oct. 14, 2016
He tweeted: "*blush* *giggle* *simper* - thank you very much, nice Golden Rose people."
From BBC • Nov. 19, 2015
Maybe we shouldn't snigger at the deferential newsreel interviewers who would simper "is there anything you want to say, Minister?"
From The Guardian • Jul. 20, 2013
Soon she and Vinny have established a playful rapport that causes Edgar to whimper and simper in jealousy.
From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2011
He had small, watery eyes, a pointed nose, and wore an unpleasant simper.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
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.
