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simple
[ sim-puhl ]
adjective
- easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: simple tools.
a simple matter;
simple tools.
Synonyms: lucid, unmistakable, understandable, intelligible, clear
- not elaborate or artificial; plain:
a simple style.
Synonyms: unembellished, neat, natural
- not ornate or luxurious; unadorned:
a simple gown.
a simple manner.
- not complicated:
a simple design.
- not complex or compound; single
the simple truth;
a simple fact.
- free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional:
a frank, simple answer.
- common or ordinary:
a simple soldier.
- not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious:
a simple way of life.
- humble or lowly:
simple folk.
- inconsequential or rudimentary.
Synonyms: unnecessary, nonessential, trivial, trifling
- lacking mental acuteness or sense:
a simple way of thinking.
- Chemistry.
- composed of only one substance or element:
a simple substance.
- not mixed.
- Botany. not divided into parts: a simple stem.
a simple leaf;
a simple stem.
- Zoology. not compound:
a simple ascidian.
- Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single:
simple tone.
- 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.”
- (of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) ( compound ).
- Mathematics. linear ( def 8 ).
- Optics. (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.
noun
- an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.
- something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.
- simples, Textiles. cords for controlling the warp threads in forming the shed on draw-looms.
- a person of humble origins; commoner.
- an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes:
country simples.
simple
/ ˈsɪmpəl /
adjective
- not involved or complicated; easy to understand or do
a simple problem
- plain; unadorned
a simple dress
- consisting of one element or part only; not combined or complex
a simple mechanism
- unaffected or unpretentious
although he became famous, he remained a simple and well-liked man
- not guileful; sincere; frank
her simple explanation was readily accepted
- of humble condition or rank
the peasant was of simple birth
- weak in intelligence; feeble-minded
- prenominal without additions or modifications; mere
the witness told the simple truth
- prenomina ordinary or straightforward
a simple case of mumps
- chem (of a substance or material) consisting of only one chemical compound rather than a mixture of compounds
- maths
- (of a fraction) containing only integers
- (of an equation) containing variables to the first power only; linear
- (of a root of an equation) occurring only once; not multiple
- biology
- not divided into parts
a simple leaf
a simple eye
- formed from only one ovary
simple fruit
- music relating to or denoting a time where the number of beats per bar may be two, three, or four
noun
- a simpleton; fool
- a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties
Confusables Note
Derived Forms
- ˈsimpleness, noun
Other Words From
- simple·ness noun
- over·simple adjective
- over·simple·ness noun
- over·simp·ly adverb
- sub·simple adjective
- ultra·simple adjective
- un·simple adjective
- un·simple·ness noun
- un·simp·ly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of simple1
Word History and Origins
Origin of simple1
Idioms and Phrases
see pure and simple .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
“We have to stop making so much of it. It really is that simple. And this treaty is our best chance to do that,” said John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign director at Greenpeace USA.
Ara Mahdessian and Vahe Kuzoyan had a simple plan after graduating from college: Write some software that could assist their dads with all the paperwork that comes with being a contractor.
But this seemingly simple request is steeped in cultural tradition, notable in narrative context and, given its catchy hook, likely to become Disney’s next inescapable earworm.
Most certainly, they could not communicate in simple, clear and direct terms what they represent to the average American who has little if any interest in politics.
Just the simple fact that firms were unsure about what was going to happen was also likely to reduce economic growth in the months ahead, she added.
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More About Simple
What is a basic definition of simple?
Simple describes something as being easy to understand or do, as being plain or not elaborate, or as being ordinary or common. The word simple has many other senses as an adjective and a noun.
If something is simple, it involves little challenge or will be really easy. For example, counting to five is a simple task for most adults. Spoons and forks are simple eating tools, without any complex parts. In this sense, simple is a synonym of words such as easy and uncomplicated.
Real-life examples: Young students start with simple subjects, such as addition, before learning harder ones, such as multiplication. An untied shoelace is a simple problem to solve for most adults. Most young people find using a computer to be really simple.
Used in a sentence: I made dinner with a simple recipe designed for new cooks.
Another sense of simple describes something as being plain and lacking flourishes or embellishments. For example, a simple shirt may be plain grey or white and not have any designs or logos on it.
Used in a sentence: She wore a simple dress to the birthday party, with no bows or ruffles.
Simple can also describe something as being ordinary, mundane, or humble.
Real-life examples: Most pets lead simple lives of eating and sleeping. Some couples have simple weddings with no band, fireworks, or colorful decorations. A simple job is one you can do without thinking hard.
Used in a sentence: After winning the championship, I retired to live a simple life as a farmer.
Where does simple come from?
The first records of simple come from around 1175. It ultimately comes from the Latin simplex, meaning “plain.”
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to simple?
- simply (adverb)
- simpleness (noun)
- oversimple (adjective)
- oversimpleness (noun)
- oversimply (adverb)
- subsimple (adjective)
- ultrasimple (adjective)
- unsimple (adjective)
- unsimpleness (noun)
- unsimply (adverb)
What are some synonyms for simple?
What are some words that share a root or word element with simple?
What are some words that often get used in discussing simple?
How is simple used in real life?
Simple is a very common word that most often describes something as easy.
Avoid overthinking, overanalyzing, and complicating things. Keep everything simple. Life is much more beautiful and enjoyable this way.
— KeepTheFaith EP Out Now (@OskidoIBelieve) December 23, 2020
Today I had my first conversation with my two year old. I asked him some yes or no questions and he answered me. It was really simple but felt huge.
— Weenietowne (@Weenietowne) December 26, 2020
Idk if I want a big Mexican wedding or just a simple wedding 🙃
— Jocelynne Lujan🥀 (@jocelynnelujan) December 29, 2020
Try using simple!
Which of the following is most likely to be described as being simple?
A. flying to the moon
B. brushing your teeth
C. climbing the world’s tallest mountain
D. learning 10 new languages
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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