simper
sim·per/ˈsɪmpɚ/verb, noun
simper is spelled S-I-M-P-E-R: 6 letters and 2 syllables (sim·per). It appears about once in every 16 million words in written English, the 121,279th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a verb, simper means “To smile in a foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, coy, obsequious, or smug manner” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in simper?
| Letters | 6: S-I-M-P-E-R |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: sim·per |
| In writing | about once in every 16 million words; the 121,279th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is simper?
Simper appears about once in every 16 million words in written English, the 121,279th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce simper?
- UK /ˈsɪmpə/
- US /ˈsɪmpɚ/
Simper has 2 syllables, split sim·per in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-simper.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with simper?
One word on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as simper from its last stressed vowel (/ɪmpəɹ/):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of simper
- simpers present, singular, he/she/it, plural
- simpering participle, present
- simpered participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does simper mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
verb
- 1
To smile in a foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, coy, obsequious, or smug manner.
- 2
obsoleteTo glimmer; to twinkle.
noun
- 1
A foolish, frivolous, self-conscious, or affected smile; a smirk.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Simper in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | minauder , minauderie, sourire affecté |
| German | verschmitzt lachen |
| Spanish | sonreírse afectadamente , sonrisa afectada |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does simper come from?
Uncertain; compare (probably from) Danish simper / semper (“coy”), German zimper (“elegant, dainty”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).