How to pronounce simmer
Say it like SIM-er. Simmer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce simmer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIM
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Simmer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of simmer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SIM-uh.
What does simmer mean?
- To cook or undergo heating slowly at or below the boiling point.“The soup simmered on the stove.”
- To cause to cook or to cause to undergo heating slowly at or below the boiling point.“Simmer the soup for five minutes, then serve.”
- To be on the point of breaking out into anger; to be agitated.
- The state or process of simmering.“The kettle was kept on the simmer.”
- Someone who plays a sim (a simulation game), particularly The Sims.
Where does simmer come from?
From alteration of dialectal simper, from Middle English simperen (“to simmer”), of possibly imitative origin.
Words that rhyme with simmer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of simmer.
Questions about saying simmer
How do you pronounce simmer?
Say SIM-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪmɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsɪmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in simmer?
Simmer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIM). Broken into parts: SIM · er.
Is simmer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsɪmə/ (SIM-uh).