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
Hernández’s version incorporates bacon and ham, and calls for a mixture of garlic, spices and meat to marinate for a week before being simmered into a hearty, comforting soup. Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 11 May 2025 Growing up every weekend, my mother’s Sunday Sauce with tomatoes and meatballs simmered for hours on the stove. Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
Noun
In a small pot, cover the garlic with the oil. 2: Bring to a low boil on the stove, then decrease the heat to very low to maintain a bare simmer. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025 To make a cup of turmeric hot chocolate, bring a cup of your preferred unsweetened milk to a simmer on the stovetop. Jillian Kubala, Health, 24 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 19 May. 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!