simply

[ sim-plee ]
See synonyms for simply on Thesaurus.com
adverb
  1. in a simple manner; clearly and easily.

  2. plainly; unaffectedly.

  1. sincerely; artlessly: to speak simply as a child.

  2. merely; only: It is simply a cold.

  3. unwisely; foolishly: If you behave simply toward him, you're bound to be betrayed.

  4. wholly; absolutely: simply irresistible.

Origin of simply

1
First recorded in 1250–1300, simply is from the Middle English word simpleliche.See simple, -ly

Words Nearby simply

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use simply in a sentence

  • He is simply hearing every tone, knowing exactly what effect he wishes to produce and how to do it.

  • Of Liszt the first part of this is not true, for if he strikes a wrong note it is simply because he chooses to be careless.

  • And though I never suspected it at the time, I have no doubt that he pocketed the money and simply destroyed the letters.

    The Boarded-Up House | Augusta Huiell Seaman
  • Sherwood often wavers between him and Kullak, and Deppe would like to teach Sherwood if he could, simply out of interest for him.

  • The morning we started was one of those perfect autumnal days when it is a delight simply to live.

British Dictionary definitions for simply

simply

/ (ˈsɪmplɪ) /


adverb
  1. in a simple manner

  2. merely; only

  1. absolutely; altogether; really: a simply wonderful holiday

  2. (sentence modifier) frankly; candidly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012