simmer

B2 Topic:Space, Position & Direction

US /ˈsɪmɚ/ UK /ˈsɪmə/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like shimmer /s/ vs /ʃ/

verb

Meanings

1

verb
to cook gently just below boiling point

Let the soup simmer for 30 minutes.
2

verb
to be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement

He was simmering with resentment.
3

verb
to develop slowly over time

Tensions have been simmering for weeks.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to cook gently just below... stew poachbraiseslow-cookbubble

2 verb · to be in a state of... seethe fume smolderrage quietlyboil over

3 verb · to develop slowly over time brewbuild upferment unfold evolve

Opposites

boil freeze

Etymology

From Old English *simmerian ('to make soft by boiling'), via Middle English simeren ('to boil gently') into Modern English simmer ('to cook gently just below boiling').

Topics

Space, Position & Direction

# simmer

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** ˈsɪmɚ
**IPA (UK):** ˈsɪmə

## Meanings
1. to cook gently just below boiling point
2. to be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement
3. to develop slowly over time

## Examples
- Let the soup simmer for 30 minutes.
- He was simmering with resentment.
- Tensions have been simmering for weeks.

## Synonyms
- stew
- poach
- braise
- slow-cook
- bubble
- seethe
- fume
- smolder
- brew
- build up
- ferment
- unfold

## Antonyms
- boil
- freeze

## Etymology
From Old English *simmerian ('to make soft by boiling'), via Middle English simeren ('to boil gently') into Modern English simmer ('to cook gently just below boiling').

## AI Etymology
Simmer comes from Old English *simmerian ('to make soft by boiling'), via Middle English simeren ('to boil gently') into Modern English simmer ('to cook gently just below boiling'). In current use it is a verb meaning "to cook gently just below boiling point". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Space, Position & Direction

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simmer

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