simple

1 of 2

adjective

sim·​ple ˈsim-pəl 

simpler ˈsim-p(ə-)lər  ; simplest ˈsim-p(ə-)ləst 

1

: free from guile : innocent

2

a

: free from vanity : modest

b

: free from ostentation or display

a simple outfit

3

: of humble origin or modest position

a simple farmer

4

a

: lacking in knowledge or expertise

a simple amateur of the arts

b

: lacking in intelligence : stupid

c

: not socially or culturally sophisticated : naive

also : credulous

5

a

: sheer, unmixed

simple honesty

b

: free of secondary complications

a simple vitamin deficiency

c(1)

: having only one main clause and no subordinate clauses

a simple sentence

(2)

of a subject or predicate : having no modifiers, complements, or objects

d

: constituting a basic element : fundamental

e

: not made up of many like units

a simple eye

6

: free from elaboration or figuration

simple harmony

7

a(1)

: not subdivided into branches or leaflets

a simple stem

a simple leaf

(2)

: consisting of a single carpel

(3)

: developing from a single ovary

a simple fruit

b

: controlled by a single gene

simple inherited characters

8

: not limited or restricted : unconditional

a simple obligation

9

: readily understood or performed

simple directions

the adjustment was simple to make

10

of a statistical hypothesis : specifying exact values for one or more statistical parameters compare composite sense 3

simpleness

ˈsim-pəl-nəs 

noun

simple

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a person of humble birth : commoner

thought very little of anybody, simples or gentry

—Virginia Woolf

b(1)

: a rude or credulous person : ignoramus

(2)

: simpleton

2

a

: a medicinal plant

b

: a vegetable drug having only one ingredient

3

: one component of a complex

specifically : an unanalyzable constituent

Synonyms

Adjective

• bald
• bare
• naked
• plain
• plain-vanilla
• unadorned
• undecorated
• unembellished
• unornamented
• unvarnished

Choose the Right Synonym for simple

simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence.

simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort.

considered people simple who had trouble with computers

foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense.

foolish stunts

silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior.

the silly antics of revelers

fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality.

fatuous conspiracy theories

asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception.

an asinine plot

synonyms see in addition easy

Examples of simple in a Sentence

Adjective

The solution to the problem was relatively simple.

The answer is really quite simple.

There are three simple steps to follow.

The camera is simple to use.

Don't go into too much detail in the report. Just keep it simple and to the point.

The melody is very simple.

I'm a simple farmer just trying to make a living.

He enjoys the simple pleasure of spending time with his wife and kids after work.

Relaxing on the beach and watching the sunset is one of life's simple pleasures.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The equation is simple: The more authoritarianism in the world, the more dissidents. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024

Maybe the key to a truly satisfying vacation in 2025 is simple: more of it. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

That’s right—a process that can involve doctors’ visits, insurance claims, and out-of-pocket costs was as simple as buying Band-Aids or shampoo or batteries. —Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024

Pay particular attention to Chapters 8 and 20, where Graham discusses the margin of safety concept and the simple but profound concept that buying a share of stock is actually owning part of a whole business. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin simplus, alteration of Latin simplic-, simplex single, having one ingredient, plain, from sem-, sim- one + -plic-, -plex -fold — more at same, -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing simple

• fee simple
• for the simple reason that
• keep it simple
• no easy/simple matter
• pure and simple
• simple closed curve
• simple equation
• simple fraction
• simple fracture
• simple interest
• simple machine
• simple protein
• simple sugar
• simple syrup
• simple vow
• the simple life

Kids Definition

simple

adjective

sim·​ple

ˈsim-pəl

simpler

-p(ə-)lər

; simplest

-p(ə-)ləst

1

: free from dishonesty or vanity : innocent

2

: not wealthy

simple folks

3

: lacking in education, experience, or intelligence

4

a

: free from complications

a simple melody

neat simple clothing

b

: consisting of only one main clause and no subordinate clauses

a simple sentence

c

: consisting of only the verb

a simple predicate

5

: not compound

a simple eye

6

a

: not divided into branches or leaflets

a simple leaf

b

: developing from a single ovary

simple fruits

7

: utter entry 1, absolute

the simple truth

8

: easy to understand or perform

simple instructions

a simple explanation

simpleness

-pəl-nəs

noun

Medical Definition

simple

1 of 2 adjective

sim·​ple ˈsim-pəl 

simpler -p(ə-)lər  ; simplest -p(ə-)ləst 

1

: free from complexity or difficulty: as

a

: easily treated or cured

a simple vitamin deficiency

b

: controlled by a single gene

simple inherited characters

2

: of, relating to, or being an epithelium in which the cells are arranged in a single layer

simple

2 of 2 noun

1

: a medicinal plant

2

: a vegetable drug having only one ingredient

Legal Definition

simple

adjective

sim·​ple

1

: oral or written but not under seal or of record

2

: not extreme, aggravated, or complicated

simple kidnapping

3

: having no limitations or restrictions see also fee simple

simply adverb