simmer

Everyday

1. To cook something gently in liquid just below boiling, with small bubbles. tree →
2. (of a feeling) To stay strong under the surface without bursting out: anger simmering. tree →
3. "Simmer down" (informal) means calm down. tree →
4. (noun) The state of gently bubbling: "Bring to a simmer." tree →

In the lessons

In cooking, recipes say "bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes". In science, simmering is gentler than boiling; water boils at 100 °C at sea level, and simmering is a bit below. In stories, simmering anger warns the reader that trouble is coming. Phrases: bring to a simmer, simmer gently, simmer down, simmering tension.

Examples

• Let the soup simmer for twenty minutes. tree →
• Bring the water to a simmer, then add the pasta. tree →
• The tension between the two teams simmered all match. tree →
• "Simmer down, everyone!" said the teacher. tree →
• Her anger simmered as she waited. tree →
• The sauce simmered on the stove. tree →

Note

Past form: simmered. Simmer is gentler than boil: in a simmer, small bubbles; in a boil, big rolling bubbles. Kitchen safety: keep handles turned in and ask an adult.