simmer

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To cook food gently in a liquid that is just below boiling point.

   Grammar: Can be used with an object (simmer the sauce) or without (the sauce is simmering). Often followed by 'for' + time.

   Patterns

   • simmer something
   • simmer for + time
   • simmer something in something

   Simmer the vegetables in a little water for ten minutes.

   The soup was simmering on the stove.

   Let the sauce simmer until it thickens.

2. 2verbintransitivefigurative

   To be filled with a strong emotion, especially anger, that is kept under control.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'with' (simmer with anger) or 'for' (simmer for revenge).

   Patterns

   • simmer with anger
   • simmer for revenge
   • simmer over something

   He simmered with anger but said nothing.

   The crowd was simmering with excitement before the concert.

   She simmered for days after the argument.

Word forms

Common combinations

simmer gently

Simmer gently for an hour to bring out the flavor.

simmer down

The argument finally simmered down after everyone apologized.

simmer with anger

He simmered with anger during the meeting.

leave something to simmer

Leave the stew to simmer while you set the table.

Synonyms and how they differ

boil

Boiling is much hotter and more vigorous; simmering is gentler and just below boiling.

stew

Cooking slowly in liquid, often for a long time; similar to simmer but usually implies a covered pot and longer time.

seethe

Used only for the emotion sense; means to be extremely angry inside, often more intense than 'simmer'.

Opposites

Word family

simmering adjective

Cooking gently in liquid just below boiling; also used for barely controlled emotion.

Commonly confused: simmer or boil?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “simmer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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