Word forms: comparative simpler, superlative simplest
1. adjective
If you describe something as simple, you mean that it is not complicated, and is therefore easy to understand.
...simple pictures and diagrams.
...pages of simple advice on filling in your tax form.
Buddhist ethics are simple but its practices can seem very complex to some.
Synonyms: uncomplicated, clear, plain, understandable More Synonyms of simple
simplyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
When applying for a visa, state simply and clearly the reasons why you need it.
Synonyms: without doubt, surely, certainly, definitely More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: clearly, straightforwardly, directly, plainly More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: totally, really, completely, absolutely More Synonyms of simple
2. adjective
If you describe people or things as simple, you mean that they have all the basic or necessary things they require, but nothing extra.
The Holy Family Church was closed and the parish now celebrates mass in this simpleside chapel.
He ate a simple dinner of rice and beans.
...the simple pleasures of childhood.
He lives a very simple life for a man who has become incredibly rich.
Nothing is simpler than a cool white shirt.
simplyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
The living room is furnished simply with wicker furniture.
He dressed simply and led a quiet family life.
Synonyms: without doubt, surely, certainly, definitely More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: clearly, straightforwardly, directly, plainly More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: totally, really, completely, absolutely More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: plainly, naturally, severely, starkly More Synonyms of simple
3. adjective
If a problem is simple or if its solution is simple, the problem can be solved easily.
Some puzzles look difficult but once the solution is known are actually quite simple.
The answer is simple.
I cut my purchases dramatically by the simple expedient of destroying my credit cards.
4. adjective [oft ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
A simple task is easy to do.
The job itself had been simple enough.
The simplest way to install a shower is to fit one over the bath.
Synonyms: easy, straightforward, not difficult, light More Synonyms of simple
simplyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Simply dial the number and tell us your area.
Synonyms: without doubt, surely, certainly, definitely More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: clearly, straightforwardly, directly, plainly More Synonyms of simple
Synonyms: totally, really, completely, absolutely More Synonyms of simple
5. adjective
If you say that someone is simple, you mean that they are not very intelligent and have difficulty learning things.
He was simple as a child.
Synonyms: artless, innocent, naive, natural More Synonyms of simple
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use simple to emphasize that the thing you are referring to is the only important or relevant reason for something.
[emphasis]
His refusal to talk was simple stubbornness.
Synonyms: pure, mere, sheer, unalloyed More Synonyms of simple
7. adjective
In grammar, simple tenses are ones which are formed without an auxiliary verb 'be', for example 'I dressed and went for a walk' and 'This tastes nice'. Simple verb groups are used especially to refer to completed actions, regular actions, and situations. Compare continuous.
8. adjective
In English grammar, a simple sentence consists of one main clause. Compare compound, , complex.
9. See also simply
More Synonyms of simple
English Easy Learning GrammarParts of speechSentences are made up of words. A sentence can be made up of any number of words. He left us. The man in the corner lowered his newspaper. Whenever I see ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarSentences and clausesA clause is a group of words which contains a verb. The verb in a clause can be finite Use this pan for the pasta. He missed the turnoff. or non-finite. To ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarVerbsVerbs are words that allow us to talk about activities, processes, states of being,and states of mind. This basket holds quite a lot. John was reading ... Read more
simple in British English
(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.
lacking in intelligence
8. (prenominal)
without additions or modifications; mere
the witness told the simple truth
9. (prenominal)
ordinary or straightforward
a simple case of mumps
10. chemistry
(of a substance or material) consisting of only one chemical compound rather thana mixture of compounds
11. mathematics
a.
(of a fraction) containing only integers
b.
(of an equation) containing variables to the first power only; linear
c.
(of a root of an equation) occurring only once; not multiple
12. biology
a.
not divided into parts
a simple leaf
a simple eye
b.
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 archaic
14.
a person lacking intelligence
15.
a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties
Derived forms
simpleness (ˈsimpleness)
noun
Word origin
C13: via Old French from Latin simplex plain
simple in American English
(ˈsɪmpəl)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈsimpler or ˈsimplest
1.
having or consisting of only one part, feature, substance, etc.; not compounded or complex; single
2.
having few parts or features; not complicated or involved
a simple pattern
3.
easy to do, solve, or understand, as a task, question, etc.
4.
without additions or qualifications; mere; bare
the simple facts
5.
a.
not ornate; unembellished; unadorned
simple clothes
b.
not luxurious or elegant; plain
simple tastes
6.
pure; unadulterated
7.
without guile or deceit; innocent; artless
8.
a.
without ostentation or affectation; natural
b.
lacking sophistication; naive
9.
of low rank or position
; specif.,
a.
humble; lowly
b.
common; ordinary
10.
lacking significance; unimportant
11.
a.
having or showing little sense or reasoning ability; easily misled or deceived; stupid or foolish
b.
uneducated or ignorant
12. Botany
a.
consisting of one piece; whole
b.
not branched
c.
developing from a single pistil or carpel
a simple fruit
13. Chemistry
a.
elementary
b.
unmixed
14. Law
unconditional; absolute
in fee simple
15. Zoology
not divided into or made up of parts; not compounded
a simple eye
noun
16.
a person who is ignorant or easily misled
17.
something having only one part, substance, etc.
18. Archaic
a.
a medicinal herb
b.
a medicine made from such a plant
19. Archaic
a person of humble position
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈeasy
Derived forms
simpleness (ˈsimpleness)
noun
Word origin
OFr < L simplus < IE *sṃplos < bases *sem-, one + *-plo-, -fold: see double
Examples of 'simple' in a sentence
simple
Tomatoes are simple to plant and nurture and can thrive in any sunny spot.
The Sun (2012)
The format is simple and easy to pick up.
The Sun (2014)
We can reduce this to a simpler equation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Single hormone control is nice in medical textbooks but matters are rarely that simple in life.
Mumby, Keith The Allergy Handbook (1988)
The simple solution to this plague is to ban cash payments in the metal recycling industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The life he has crafted for himself there is a simple one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are two simple reasons why people in football favour more matches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The knowledge organization is far more complex than the simple "line" organization it is replacing.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
These simple wooden huts provide guests with an idyllic getaway on a peaceful lake surrounded by woods.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is not a simple question to answer.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The simple problem is too many cars are being produced for too few buyers.
The Sun (2013)
To begin with it all looked quite simple.
Christy Campbell PHYLLOXERA: How Wine was Saved for the World (2004)
Most of the advice is simple but transformative.
Christianity Today (2000)
This reflects the simple fact that demand has vastly outstripped supply.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is by no means simple to pin down.
Gunston, Bill Plane Speaking - a personal view of aviation history (1991)
The reason why food is diverted prematurely to power plants is simple.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The first steps should be simple and easy to accomplish.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
And it would make life simpler for us all.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Or is this too simple a solution?
The Sun (2014)
Some simple ones are discussed in this book.
Trickett, Shirley Coming Off Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills (1991)
It works well with both simple and complex flavours.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is a simple way to diagnose most cardiac abnormalities.
The Sun (2013)
The simple answer to this question is yes.
Wallace, Louise M & Bundy, Christine Coping with Angina (1990)
Losing weight is a simple equation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There's a simple astronomical reason for this subject of endless fascination.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
simple
British English: simple /ˈsɪmpl/ ADJECTIVE
If something is simple, it is not complicated, and is therefore easy to understand or do.
...simple pictures and diagrams.
American English: simple
Arabic: بَسِيط
Brazilian Portuguese: simples
Chinese: 简单的
Croatian: jednostavan
Czech: jednoduchý
Danish: simpel
Dutch: eenvoudig
European Spanish: simple
Finnish: yksinkertainen
French: simple pas compliqué
German: einfach
Greek: απλός
Italian: semplice
Japanese: 簡単な
Korean: 단순한
Norwegian: enkel
Polish: prosty nieskomplikowany
European Portuguese: simples
Romanian: simplu
Russian: простой
Latin American Spanish: simple
Swedish: enkel lättfattlig
Thai: ง่าย
Turkish: basit
Ukrainian: простий
Vietnamese: dễ hiểu
All related terms of 'simple'
fee simple
an absolute interest in land over which the holder has complete freedom of disposition during his or her life
simple dish
Food that is prepared in a particular style or combination can be referred to as a dish .
simple meal
A meal is the food you eat during a meal.
simple step
A step is one of a series of actions that you take in order to achieve something.
simple task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project.
simple time
a metre in music in which each beat or part divides equally into two
simple vow
a vow made with canonical effects less strict than those of a → solemn vow : e. g ., a simple vow of chastity , broken by entering marriage while the vow is still in effect, makes the marriage illicit but not invalid
simple vows
the vows of poverty , chastity , and obedience when taken for a limited period
simple device
A device is an object that has been invented for a particular purpose, for example for recording or measuring something.
simple fruit
a fruit, such as a grape or cherry , that is formed from only one ovary
simple group
a group that has no normal subgroup except the group itself and the identity
simple matter
A matter is a task , situation, or event which you have to deal with or think about, especially one that involves problems.
simple meter
any time signature in which the upper figure indicates two, three, or four beats per measure, as 2/8, 3/2, 4/4, etc.
simple-minded
If you describe someone as simple-minded , you believe that they interpret things in a way that is too simple and do not understand how complicated things are.
simple recipe
A recipe is a list of ingredients and a set of instructions that tell you how to cook something.
simple shape
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square , curved, or fat .
Simple Simon
a foolish man or boy
simple sugar
→ monosaccharide
simple syrup
a thick, sweet liquid, usually prepared from sugar and water and used chiefly as a base for soda fountain flavors
simple tense
a tense of verbs , in English and other languages, not involving the use of an auxiliary verb in addition to the main verb, as for example the past he drowned as opposed to the future he will drown
simple concept
A concept is an idea or abstract principle.
simple division
a type of division to find out how many times the smaller number is contained in the larger one
simple equation
→ linear equation
simple formula
A formula for a particular situation, usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
simple fraction
a fraction in which the numerator and denominator are both integers expressed as a ratio rather than a decimal
simple fracture
a fracture in which the broken bone does not pierce the skin
simple-hearted
free from deceit ; open; frank ; sincere
simple interest
Simple interest is interest that is calculated on an original sum of money and not also on interest which has previously been added to the sum. Compare → compound interest .
simple machine
a simple device for altering the magnitude or direction of a force. The six basic types are the lever , wheel and axle , pulley , screw , wedge , and inclined plane
simple majority
more than half of the total number of votes cast
simple ordering
an ordering that is reflexive , antisymmetric , transitive , and connected, as less than or equal to on the involved integers
simple pendulum
a bob hung on a light thread , mounted so that it can swing freely under the influence of gravity .
simple pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
simple protein
a protein composed only of amino acids
simple sentence
a sentence consisting of a single main clause
simple solution
A solution to a problem or difficult situation is a way of dealing with it so that the difficulty is removed.
simple instruction
An instruction is something that someone tells you to do.
simple microscope
a microscope having a single lens ; magnifying glass
pure and simple
You use pure and simple to emphasize that the thing you are mentioning is the only thing that is involved or that should be considered.
simple carbohydrate
a carbohydrate , as glucose , that consists of a single monosaccharide unit
simple harmonic motion
a form of periodic motion of a particle, etc, in which the acceleration is always directed towards some equilibrium point and is proportional to the displacement from this point
the message is simple
The message that someone is trying to communicate , for example in a book or play, is the idea or point that they are trying to communicate.
the argument is simple
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
closed fracture
a fracture in which the broken bone does not pierce the skin
SHM
simple harmonic motion
machine
A machine is a piece of equipment which uses electricity or an engine in order to do a particular kind of work.
machineability
an assembly of interconnected components arranged to transmit or modify force in order to perform useful work