simply
/ˈsɪmpli
/adverb
1In a straightforward or plain manner: she spoke simply and from the heart...
- He pointed out simply and clearly that she had been a great player - and that she still was.
- Willis and Curry's ideas can in fact be expressed simply and clearly, but they never are.
- When British people farmed simply and ate plainly there was no need for organic produce.
Synonyms
straightforwardly, directly;
clearly, plainly, intelligibly, lucidly, unambiguously
plainly, without adornment, without decoration, without ornament/ornamentation, without embellishment, soberly, unfussily, unelaborately, unostentatiously, without frills;
severely, austerely, starkly, with restraint, monastically;
classically, without clutter
unpretentiously, modestly, naturally, quietly
2Merely; just: simply complete the application form...
- Oh come on, Mr Graber, why not simply go straight to Ebay instead of fluffing around here.
- To continue the walk from the rock outcrops simply head straight on along the ridge.
- When the creatures slept, they simply lowered themselves straight to the ground.
Synonyms
merely, just, purely, solely, only, for no other reason
2.1 [as submodifier] Absolutely; completely (used for emphasis): it makes Trevor simply furious...
- It is simply not true that young people are unwilling to volunteer, she added.
- Telling someone you love them is so not enough, you have to act in such a way to back that up else it simply isn't true.
- This is simply not true, as a quick look at his latest Spectator article will demonstrate.
Synonyms
utterly, absolutely, completely, positively, really, totally
informal plain, plumb
2.2 [sentence adverb] Used to introduce a short summary of a situation: quite simply, some things have to be taught...
- Quite simply, it was about being fifteen but appealed to every jaded, cynical adult who saw it.
- The post-Holocaust poets also tend to be silent on the subject quite simply because it is too big.
- It is, quite simply, one of the best ever role-playing games created on any platform.