simple

[ sim-puhl ]

adjective

, sim·pler, sim·plest.

1. easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: simple tools.

   a simple matter;

   simple tools.

   Synonyms: lucid, unmistakable, understandable, intelligible, clear

2. not elaborate or artificial; plain:

   a simple style.

   Synonyms: unembellished, neat, natural

3. not ornate or luxurious; unadorned:

   a simple gown.

4. unaffected; unassuming; modest:

   a simple manner.

5. not complicated:

   a simple design.

6. not complex or compound; single
7. occurring or considered alone; mere; bare:

   the simple truth;

   a simple fact.

8. free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional:

   a frank, simple answer.

   Synonyms: ingenuous, guileless, artless

9. common or ordinary:

   a simple soldier.

10. not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious:

    a simple way of life.

11. humble or lowly:

    simple folk.

12. inconsequential or rudimentary.

    Synonyms: unnecessary, nonessential, trivial, trifling

13. unlearned; ignorant.

    Synonyms: stupid, untutored

14. lacking mental acuteness or sense:

    a simple way of thinking.

15. unsophisticated; naive; credulous.
16. simpleminded.
17. Chemistry.
    1. composed of only one substance or element:

       a simple substance.

    2. not mixed.
18. Botany. not divided into parts: a simple stem.

    a simple leaf;

    a simple stem.

19. Zoology. not compound:

    a simple ascidian.

20. Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single:

    simple tone.

21. Grammar. having only the head without modifying elements included: Compare complete ( def 5 ).

    The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.”

22. (of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) ( compound ).
23. Mathematics. linear ( def 8 ).
24. Optics. (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.

noun

1. an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.
2. something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.
3. simples, Textiles. cords for controlling the warp threads in forming the shed on draw-looms.
4. a person of humble origins; commoner.
5. an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes:

   country simples.

simple

/ ˈsɪmpəl /

adjective

1. not involved or complicated; easy to understand or do

   a simple problem

2. plain; unadorned

   a simple dress

3. consisting of one element or part only; not combined or complex

   a simple mechanism

4. unaffected or unpretentious

   although he became famous, he remained a simple and well-liked man

5. not guileful; sincere; frank

   her simple explanation was readily accepted

6. of humble condition or rank

   the peasant was of simple birth

7. weak in intelligence; feeble-minded
8. prenominal without additions or modifications; mere

   the witness told the simple truth

9. prenomina ordinary or straightforward

   a simple case of mumps

10. chem (of a substance or material) consisting of only one chemical compound rather than a mixture of compounds
11. maths
    1. (of a fraction) containing only integers
    2. (of an equation) containing variables to the first power only; linear
    3. (of a root of an equation) occurring only once; not multiple
12. biology
    1. not divided into parts

       a simple leaf

       a simple eye

    2. formed from only one ovary

       simple fruit

13. music relating to or denoting a time where the number of beats per bar may be two, three, or four

noun

1. a simpleton; fool
2. a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties

Confusables Note

See simplistic.

Derived Forms

• ˈsimpleness, noun

Other Words From

• simple·ness noun
• over·simple adjective
• over·simple·ness noun
• over·simp·ly adverb
• sub·simple adjective
• ultra·simple adjective
• un·simple adjective
• un·simple·ness noun
• un·simp·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of simple¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English adjective simple, simpel(le), from Old French simple, sinple, from Latin simplus “simple” (in simpla pecunia “simple fee or sum”), equivalent to sim- “one” + -plus, as in duplus “double”; Middle English noun “commoner,” derivative of the adjective; simplex, duple, double; -fold; cognate with Greek háplos ( haplo- );

Word History and Origins

Origin of simple¹

C13: via Old French from Latin simplex plain

Idioms and Phrases

see pure and simple .

Synonym Study

See homely.

Example Sentences

But testing a hypothesis is not as simple as conducting a single experiment.

From Slate

With modern post-production, it’s super simple to alter 35-mill format.

From Los Angeles Times

Krikorian, who declined to be interviewed for this story, offered the group a simple yet telling answer: The climate issue was a potent opportunity.

From Salon

What my mother had accomplished was simple but lasting.

From Los Angeles Times

Some fire researchers say taking simple steps to clear yards, roofs and gutters of flammable vegetation and ensuring there is absolutely no opening for embers to get inside — whether a dog door, a vent or an open window — can virtually fireproof a home.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clean
• elementary
• plain
• quiet
• smooth
• straightforward
• transparent
• uncomplicated