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
Synonyms of simmernext

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

Synonyms of simmer

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In the Prime Video limited series, set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049, the simmering conflict between the artificial beings, known as Replicants, and humans has erupted into outright war, and humans lost. — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026 This recipe calls for using a double boiler — or a makeshift double boiler, setting a heat-proof bowl or saucier over a pot of simmering water. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pumpkin begins to fall apart, about 45 minutes. — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 12 Oct. 2026 Increase heat to medium, bring to a simmer, and cook, tossing constantly, until pasta is al dente and liquid is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for simmer

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

Phrases Containing simmer

Rhymes for simmer

See All Rhymes for simmer

Browse Nearby Words

Simmental
simmer
simmer down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

simmer

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

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All