simmer

simmer — verb

IPA/ˈsɪmə(r)/
KK[sˈɪmɚ]IPA/ˈsɪmər/
  • simmerpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • simmershe / she / it
  • simmeredpast simple
  • simmering-ing form

1. to cook food in liquid kept just below boiling point, so that only small bubbles

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to cook food in liquid kept just below boiling point, so that only small bubbles rise gently to the surface

例句

Reema let the lentil soup simmer on the stove for forty minutes.

simmer + for [duration]

The tomato sauce was simmering softly while Rodrigo chopped the garlic.

intransitive: [liquid] + simmers

同義詞
  • stew

    stew implies longer cooking with more liquid, often for meat dishes

  • poach

    poach uses gentler heat where the liquid barely trembles; common for eggs and fish

  • braise

    braise starts by browning the food, then slow-cooks it covered in a small amount of liquid

反義詞
  • boil

    boil involves fast, rolling bubbles at full heat

文法句型

simmer + [food/liquid]

[food/liquid] + simmers

simmer + for + [duration]

用法筆記

The liquid should show tiny bubbles but no rolling boil. Common in recipes with instructions like 'bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.'

常見錯誤

❌Boil the soup for an hour.' (when the recipe says simmer).
✅Simmer the soup for an hour.
💡boiling means rapid bubbling at full heat; simmering keeps the liquid just below boiling point.

2. if a strong negative feeling, disagreement, or tense situation simmers, it exist

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

if a strong negative feeling, disagreement, or tense situation simmers, it exists and grows slowly without being openly shown, threatening to break out at any moment

例句

Anger simmered inside Ilan for weeks before he finally spoke to his brother.

simmer + for + [duration] with abstract emotion

The row between the two neighbours had simmered since the fence was built last spring.

同義詞
  • brew

    brew is more informal and often used for trouble or conflict ('trouble was brewing')

  • smoulder

    smoulder emphasises quiet, hidden intensity, especially of anger or passion

  • fester

    fester has a stronger negative charge — like an infected wound left untreated

反義詞
  • erupt

    erupt describes the moment simmering feelings finally burst out into the open

  • subside

    subside means the feeling grows weaker, rather than stronger, over time

文法句型

[emotion/conflict] + simmers

simmer + beneath/under + the surface

simmer + for + [time period]

用法筆記

Only used for difficult or unpleasant feelings and situations — anger, resentment, tension, conflict. Not used for positive emotions like joy or excitement. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (COOK GENTLY), which is literal and about food.

常見錯誤

❌He was simmering with joy.
✅He was simmering with anger.
💡simmer in the emotional sense is only used for negative or difficult feelings, never positive ones.

simmer — noun

IPA/ˈsɪm.ər/
KK[sˈɪmɚ]IPA/ˈsɪm.ɚ/