Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

simpering

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.02 in modern English

Syllables: sim-per-ing
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Affected, smug, and supercilious.

verb

present participle and gerund of simper

noun

The act of one who simpers.

Example Sentences

"Why, look at him—look at this simpering self-righteous mug!"
"I know they are supposed to be amusing, and you should be tolerant, but I wanted to swing on one, any one, anything to shatter that superior, simpering composure."
"I had high hopes when I moved to Spyglass, but simpering gossip on celebrity parties seems to be the closest I've gotten so far to Dad's vocation."
"That sounds almost simpering. I hate sounding simpering, and over a trifling increase of four coppers on a gold, I definitely do not wish to sound simpering."
"Well, but Polly attended, as I said; and there were strange simperings, and bowing, and courtesying, between them; the honest gentleman seeming not to know how to let his mistress wait upon him[…]"

Inflected Forms

more simpering (comparative) most simpering (superlative) simperings (plural)

Derived Forms

simperingly

Frequently Paired Words

simperer simping

Questions

What does simpering mean?: Affected, smug, and supercilious.

How to pronounce simpering

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “simpering”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “simpering” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.