simmer

1 of 2

verb

sim·​mer ˈsi-mər How to pronounce simmer (audio)
simmered; simmering ˈsi-mə-riŋ How to pronounce simmer (audio)
ˈsim-riŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to stew gently below or just at the boiling point
2
a
: to be in a state of incipient development : ferment
ideas simmering in the back of my mind
b
: to be in inward turmoil : seethe

transitive verb

: to cook slowly in a liquid just below the boiling point

simmer

2 of 2

noun

: the state of simmering

Examples of simmer in a Sentence

Verb Simmer the stew for 40 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. The chicken was simmered in a cream sauce. The dispute simmered for years before any progress was made. It's a debate that has simmered for 30 years and is likely to continue. Long-simmering tensions between the two groups eventually sparked violence. Noun Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
With tensions between Iran and Israel simmering, gold prices took a dip following a five-week rally. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2024 This comes at a time when tension over the Israeli conflict is simmering across the country. Dara Kerr, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024 All of this simmering regulatory interest may seem unusual for an industry that still appears relatively nascent. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024 Beneath the vehicular roar in the years around 1900 was a simmering new electronic sound, native to the telephone, the phonograph, the radio, and other forms of transmission and reproduction. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024 As companies and their HR leaders wake up to the mental health crisis simmering among their workforce, many have opted to amp up their benefit offerings to address worker well-being. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024 Seeing these women who had been through so much scurrying to obey left me simmering. Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024 It’s made by simmering spaghetti in spicy tomato sauce until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is mostly absorbed or evaporated and about as thick as tomato paste. Dan Pashman, Saveur, 11 Apr. 2024 Across South Asia and its diaspora, dal — which refers to both the legumes and the finished dish — is inherently linked to comfort, whether simmered with coconut milk, sweetened with a little jaggery or topped with crisp curry leaves. Priya Krishna, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Turn the heat to high, bring the soup to a simmer, add the pieces of asparagus (reserving the tips), and then lower the heat and partially cover the pot. Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024 Pour in the reserved cooking liquid, bring to a simmer and cover. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 And Ed Pierson witnessed firsthand the simmer building to a boil. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024 Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer, cover and cook until the rice has absorbed all the liquid, about 25 minutes. Cindy Dampier, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The levelheaded Lerman tends to stay at a relaxed simmer. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024 Finish cooking sauce: Meanwhile, bring remaining Marsala mixture to a simmer over medium. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta and Parmesan in a medium bowl. Christina Morales, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Segarra’s voice has soft edges but a hard center, befitting songs in which outrage and pain simmer beneath the pastoral. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'simmer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of English dialect simper, from Middle English simperen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

1637, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1758, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of simmer was in 1637

Dictionary Entries Near simmer

Cite this Entry

“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

simmer

verb
sim·​mer
ˈsim-ər
simmered; simmering
-(ə-)riŋ
: to stew gently below or just at the boiling point
simmer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on simmer

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