simplicity

[ sim-plis-i-tee ]

noun

, plural sim·plic·i·ties.

1. the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
2. freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts:

   an organism of great simplicity.

3. absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness:

   a life of simplicity.

4. freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness; naturalness:

   a simplicity of manner.

   Synonyms: directness, honesty, candor

5. lack of mental acuteness or shrewdness:

   Politics is not a field for simplicity about human nature.

simplicity

/ sɪmˈplɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality or condition of being simple

Other Words From

• nonsim·plici·ty noun plural nonsimplicities
• over·sim·plici·ty noun
• super·sim·plici·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of simplicity¹

1325–75; Middle English simplicite (< Old French simplicité ) < Latin simplicitās simpleness, equivalent to simplici- (stem of simplex ) simplex + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

Sittichai Chaiyahat and Gemma Pedersen, looking down from their balcony, sing the song that expresses the couple’s fears in lyrics that have the profound simplicity of haikus.

From Los Angeles Times

One more thing has changed: For most of the band’s career, Mehrtens spelled his last name as “Martens,” partly for simplicity’s sake but also because he wore Doc Martens boots.

From Los Angeles Times

In his written submissions to the IPT, Mr Weatherby said: "The perpetrators were not unknowns who acted spontaneously or with a simplicity which gave little room for discovery."

From BBC

The production’s simplicity ditched the cliches that have accumulated around the play over decades.

From Los Angeles Times

But despite the seeming simplicity of blood-sucking, it takes a lot to evolve such adaptive behavior.

From Salon

Related Words

• candor
• clarity
• directness
• integrity
• modesty
• purity
• restraint
• unity