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
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
The dueling letters from Sassoon in New York and Bove in Washington laid bare in starkly personal language the gravity of a simmering, behind-the-scenes dispute over the handling of one of the Justice Department’s most significant current public corruption cases. Larry Neumeister, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 But Ringel’s script, which manages to skirt cheap laughs throughout, locates unexpected depth when a combination of carnal frustration, bad news and simmering resentments set the central pair against each other in earnest. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Many people are feeling lousy right now as the winter stew of respiratory viruses simmers. Rob Stein, NPR, 7 Feb. 2025 While the chili simmers, cook 8 split chicken breasts in the oven until just cooked. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near simmer

Cite this Entry

“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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