Meaning & use
simper
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Meanings
verbintransitivedisapproving
To smile in a silly, self-conscious way that seems fake or too eager to please.
Grammar: No object; often followed by at: she simpered at the guests.
Patterns
- simper at someone
- simper with something
She simpered at the manager, hoping for a promotion.
The salesman simpered and bowed as we walked into the shop.
He simpered whenever the teacher praised him.
verbtransitivedisapproving
To say something with a silly, affected smile.
Grammar: Takes a quoted or reported statement: she simpered that she was flattered.
Patterns
- simper something
Oh, you shouldn't have, she simpered.
He simpered that he was honored to be invited.
The host simpered a welcome to the important guest.
nouncountabledisapproving
A silly, affected smile that does not seem genuine.
Grammar: Countable: a smug simper.
Patterns
- with a simper
- a simper on someone's face
She greeted the director with a nervous simper.
A self-satisfied simper spread across his face.
The photograph captured the actor's trademark simper.
Word forms
| third person singular | simpers |
|---|---|
| past tense | simpered |
| past participle | simpered |
| -ing form | simpering |
| plural | simpers |
Common combinations
- simper at someone
- He simpered at his boss during the meeting.
- simpering smile
- She gave him a simpering smile.
- simper coyly
- The girl simpered coyly and looked away.
- a simpering fool
- The princess found the courtier a simpering fool.
- simper with delight
- He simpered with delight when the guests applauded.
Synonyms and how they differ
- smirk
- Smirk suggests an unpleasant, smug smile, while simper suggests a fake sweet one.
- grin
- Grin is a wide, open smile and is usually friendly, unlike simper.
- smile
- Smile is neutral and sincere, while simper implies silliness or pretense.
- fawn
- Fawn means flattering someone too much, so it describes behavior, not just a smile.
Opposites
Word family
- simpering adjective
- smiling in a silly, affected way
- simperer noun
- a person who simpers
- simperingly adverb
- in a silly, affected manner
Commonly confused: simper or simmer? simper or smirk?
simper vs simmer
Simmer means to cook gently just below boiling, and it is also used for suppressed anger.
simper vs smirk
A smirk is a smug smile; a simper is a coy or silly one.
Practice
The assistant ____ at the director, hoping to be noticed.
Choose one answer.
Simper means to smile in a silly, eager-to-please way, which fits someone trying to be noticed. Scowled is angry and the others do not involve a smile.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “simper”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.