simmer
pronunciation
How to pronounce simmer in British English:
UK [ˈsɪmə(r)]
How to pronounce simmer in American English:
US [ˈsɪmɚ]
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- Noun:
- temperature just below the boiling point
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- Verb:
- boil slowly at low temperature
Word Origin
- simmer (v.)
- 1650s, alteration of simperen "to simmer" (late 15c.), possibly imitative; not thought to be connected to simper (v.). OED says the change is "probably due to a feeling of phonetic appropriateness." Figurative sense, of feelings, "to be agitated" is from 1764. Opposite sense, in simmer down, first recorded 1871, probably from the notion of moving from a full boil to a mere simmer. I must and will keep shady and quiet till Bret Harte simmers down a little. [Mark Twain, letter, 1871] Related: Simmered; simmering. The noun meaning "a condition of simmering" is from 1809.
Example
- 1. Simmer until noodles are tender , about 5 minutes .
- 2. Let it simmer for a while until the sauce is thicken .
- 3. Cover and simmer for 30 min.
- 4. In the kitchen I set a vegetable soup to simmer .
- 5. Start with a low-sodium broth or canned soup , add fresh or frozen vegetables and simmer .