simmer
/ˈsɪmə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪmər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsi-mər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɪm.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪm.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
simmer — verb
- simmerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- simmershe / she / it
- simmeredpast simple
- simmering-ing form
1. to heat a liquid, or food in a liquid, so that small bubbles rise but it does no
to heat a liquid, or food in a liquid, so that small bubbles rise but it does not reach a full boil; the heat is steady and low.
Sumin lowered the heat and let the curry simmer for forty minutes.
transitive: let + something + simmer + for + duration
The soup should simmer gently until the carrots feel soft when you poke them.
intransitive: simmer + adverb (gently)
Christopher simmered the chicken bones with onion and ginger to make a clear stock.
Once the sauce starts to boil, turn the burner down so it simmers instead.
Charlotte covered the pot and left the beans to simmer while she chopped the herbs.
- boil
heat liquid until it bubbles rapidly across the whole surface
文法句型
simmer + noun
let something simmer
simmer for + duration
用法筆記
Frequently used in cooking instructions with adverbs like 'gently' or 'slowly', and with duration phrases ('for 20 minutes'). Contrasts directly with 'boil' — a boil has rolling bubbles, a simmer has small, slow ones.
常見錯誤
2. of an argument, bad feeling, or trouble: to build up quietly under the surface o
of an argument, bad feeling, or trouble: to build up quietly under the surface over time, ready to break out into open conflict.
Resentment had been simmering between the two brothers since their father's will was read.
subject is an emotion word; simmer + between + parties
Anjali sat quietly at the dinner table, simmering with anger after the argument with her mother.
simmer with + emotion (describes a person)
Tensions between the two villages had simmered for years before the river dispute finally exploded.
A quiet resentment simmered below the surface of the office, but no one wanted to speak first.
文法句型
simmer with + emotion
tensions simmer
anger simmers + below the surface
用法筆記
Subject is typically an emotion word ('anger', 'resentment', 'tension') OR a person plus 'with' + emotion ('simmering with rage'). Implies that the feeling is hidden but could erupt — distinguish from sense 1 by checking whether the subject is liquid/food (sense 1) or feeling/conflict (sense 2).
常見錯誤
simmer — noun
1. a steady cooking heat that keeps a liquid just below boiling — small bubbles ris
a steady cooking heat that keeps a liquid just below boiling — small bubbles rise to the top but the surface stays calm.
Bring the broth to a simmer, then add the dumplings one by one.
bring + liquid + to a simmer (standard recipe phrase)
Hoa kept the stew on a simmer for two hours while the rice cooker beeped.
keep + something + on a simmer
Reduce the heat to a low simmer once the sauce thickens.
Ezra held the soup at a gentle simmer for the last fifteen minutes of the recipe.
- low boil
loose informal alternative; cooks sometimes say 'a low boil' for a slightly more active simmer
- rolling boil
rapid bubbling across the whole surface; the opposite cooking intensity
文法句型
bring + something + to a simmer
on a simmer
at a simmer
用法筆記
Almost always appears in cooking instructions, usually after 'bring to', 'on', 'at', or 'reduce to'. Use the countable form with 'a' — 'a gentle simmer', 'a low simmer'.