# simmer

/ˈsɪmɝ/ (US) · /sˈɪmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/simmer
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to cook gently

verb · CEFR B2

to cook food in liquid that is almost boiling, with small bubbles appearing slowly.

For teachers: to cook or heat a liquid at or just below the boiling point, characterized by the gentle formation of bubbles.

- Let the soup simmer for twenty minutes to let the flavours develop.
- The chef instructed the apprentice to let the stock simmer overnight, ensuring the heat remained low enough to prevent a rolling boil.

### 3. to develop an idea

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to let a plan or idea develop slowly in your mind.

For teachers: to develop gradually or remain in a state of quiet activity, often referring to ideas, plans, or conflicts.

- The idea for her new book had been simmering in her mind for years.
- While the revolution appeared sudden, the underlying social unrest had been simmering for decades under the surface of the regime.

### 4. a gentle boil

noun · CEFR B2

the state of a liquid when it is cooking very gently.

For teachers: the state or process of simmering; a temperature just below the boiling point.

- Bring the sauce to a simmer and then add the herbs.
- Once the liquid reaches a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover the pot tightly.

### 5. a fan of The Sims

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person who loves playing the video game 'The Sims'.

For teachers: a dedicated player or enthusiast of the life-simulation video game series 'The Sims'.

- As a lifelong Simmer, she has spent hundreds of hours building digital houses.
- The online community of Simmers reacted with excitement to the announcement of the new expansion pack.

## Examples

- Let the soup simmer for twenty minutes.
- After bringing the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer until the liquid thickens.
- The chef instructed his apprentices to let the stock simmer overnight, ensuring that the gentle heat would extract maximum flavor without clouding the liquid.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.