simplify

[ sim-pluh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: simplifysimplifiedsimplifiessimplification on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),sim·pli·fied, sim·pli·fy·ing.
  1. to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier: to simplify a problem.

Origin of simplify

1
First recorded in 1645–55; from French simplifier, from Medieval Latin simplificāre “to make simple,” equivalent to Latin simpli-, combining form of simplus simple + -ficāre -fy

Other words from simplify

  • sim·pli·fi·ca·tion, noun
  • sim·pli·fi·ca·tive, adjective
  • sim·pli·fi·er, sim·pli·fi·ca·tor, noun
  • non·sim·pli·fi·ca·tion, noun
  • su·per·sim·pli·fy, verb (used with object), su·per·sim·pli·fied, su·per·sim·pli·fy·ing.
  • un·sim·pli·fied, adjective
  • un·sim·pli·fy·ing, adjective

Words that may be confused with simplify

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

How to use simplify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for simplify

simplify

/ (ˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
  1. to make less complicated, clearer, or easier

  2. maths to reduce (an equation, fraction, etc) to a simpler form by cancellation of common factors, regrouping of terms in the same variable, etc

Origin of simplify

1
C17: via French from Medieval Latin simplificāre, from Latin simplus simple + facere to make

Derived forms of simplify

  • simplification, noun
  • simplificative, adjective
  • simplifier, noun

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