Definition

1. Verb:

   • To cook or keep a liquid at a temperature just below boiling, characterized by small, gentle bubbles rising slowly to the surface. This is a fundamental cooking technique.
   • To be in a state of suppressed emotion, activity, or conflict. This figurative meaning describes something that is present but not fully expressed or active.

2. Noun:

   • A state or temperature just below the boiling point. It refers to the specific stage in cooking where a liquid is hot enough to produce small, steady bubbles but is not rolling or boiling vigorously.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Literal - Cooking):
  • Simmer the soup for 20 minutes to let the flavors develop.
  • The pot of water is simmering on the stove.
• Verb (Figurative - Emotion/Conflict):
  • Resentment simmered within him for years.
  • Tensions have been simmering between the two communities.
• Noun:
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat.
  • Keep the stew at a low simmer.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to simmer down": This phrasal verb means to become calm after being angry or excited.
  • It took him an hour to simmer down after the argument.
• The figurative use often implies a prolonged state that could potentially erupt, similar to a pot that is simmering and could boil over.
  • The political scandal has been simmering for months.

Variants and Related Words

• Simmering (Adjective/Verb form): Used to describe something in the state of simmering.
  • A simmering pot of stew. (Literal)
  • Simmering anger. (Figurative)

Synonyms

• Verb (Cooking): stew, poach.
• Verb (Figurative): seethe, smolder, fester.
• Noun: low boil.

Phrasal Verbs

• Simmer down: To become less angry or agitated; to calm down.
  • I told him to simmer down and explain the problem calmly.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• At a simmer / On the simmer: In a state of being kept just below boiling, either literally for cooking or figuratively for emotions or situations.
  • Leave the gravy on the simmer while you set the table. (Literal)
  • His frustration was kept at a simmer throughout the meeting. (Figurative)

Noun

1. temperature just below the boiling point
   • the stew remained at a simmer for hours

Verb

1. boil slowly at low temperature
   • simmer the sauce
   • simmering water