simple

[sim-puhl]

adjective

simpler, simplest 

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: neat, unembellished, 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.

    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.

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. Textiles.,  simples, 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.

Other Word Forms

• simpleness noun
• oversimple adjective
• oversimpleness noun
• oversimply adverb
• subsimple adjective
• ultrasimple adjective
• unsimple adjective
• unsimpleness noun
• unsimply 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

It’s a simple frame, free of dialogue as it should be.

From Salon

The simple East-West format of that game was an effort to get away from the musical performances, prolonged introductions and rosters drafted by team captains that had plagued the event for years.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, it wasn’t that simple, and eventually the stream of women coming forward to allege that they were coerced, tricked, and even threatened into performing for the camera brought Francis’ empire down.

From Salon

It features only a single twin bed covered with a simple quilt on a severe-looking iron frame.

From Los Angeles Times

My room was spacious and simple, with a comfortable bed and subtle under-bed lighting.

From Salon

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.