simple
Americanadjective
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easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: simple tools.
a simple matter;
simple tools.
- Synonyms:
- lucid, unmistakable, understandable, intelligible, clear
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not elaborate or artificial; plain.
a simple style.
- Synonyms:
- neat, unembellished, natural
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not ornate or luxurious; unadorned.
a simple gown.
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unaffected; unassuming; modest.
a simple manner.
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not complicated.
a simple design.
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not complex or compound; single
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occurring or considered alone; mere; bare.
the simple truth;
a simple fact.
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free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional.
a frank, simple answer.
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common or ordinary.
a simple soldier.
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not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious.
a simple way of life.
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humble or lowly.
simple folk.
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inconsequential or rudimentary.
- Synonyms:
- unnecessary, nonessential, trivial, trifling
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lacking mental acuteness or sense.
a simple way of thinking.
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Chemistry.
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composed of only one substance or element.
a simple substance.
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not mixed.
-
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Botany. not divided into parts: a simple stem.
a simple leaf;
a simple stem.
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Zoology. not compound.
a simple ascidian.
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Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single.
simple tone.
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Grammar. having only the head without modifying elements included.
The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.”
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(of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) (compound ).
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Mathematics. linear.
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Optics. (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.
noun
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an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.
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something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.
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Textiles. simples, cords for controlling the warp threads in forming the shed on draw-looms.
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a person of humble origins; commoner.
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an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes.
country simples.
adjective
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not involved or complicated; easy to understand or do
a simple problem
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plain; unadorned
a simple dress
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consisting of one element or part only; not combined or complex
a simple mechanism
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unaffected or unpretentious
although he became famous, he remained a simple and well-liked man
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not guileful; sincere; frank
her simple explanation was readily accepted
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of humble condition or rank
the peasant was of simple birth
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weak in intelligence; feeble-minded
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(prenominal) without additions or modifications; mere
the witness told the simple truth
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(prenomina) ordinary or straightforward
a simple case of mumps
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chem (of a substance or material) consisting of only one chemical compound rather than a mixture of compounds
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maths
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(of a fraction) containing only integers
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(of an equation) containing variables to the first power only; linear
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(of a root of an equation) occurring only once; not multiple
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biology
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not divided into parts
a simple leaf
a simple eye
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formed from only one ovary
simple fruit
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music relating to or denoting a time where the number of beats per bar may be two, three, or four
noun
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a simpleton; fool
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a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties
Usage
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.
Commonly Confused
See simplistic.
Related Words
See homely.
Other Word Forms
- oversimple adjective
- oversimpleness noun
- oversimply adverb
- simpleness noun
- subsimple adjective
- ultrasimple adjective
- unsimple adjective
- unsimpleness noun
- unsimply adverb
Etymology
Origin of simple
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- );
Explanation
Simple refers to something that's easy and uncomplicated, without too many steps to follow. Simple comes from the Latin word for single (simplus). Simple things are often solo, like a simple dress or directions with one step. A teacher might advise you to KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). What could be bad about a word for something easy? Well, it's not that simple. It can be an insult. If you call your little brother simple when he can't tie his shoes, you mean he isn't very smart. Rude!
Vocabulary lists containing simple
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 4
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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
'Tis A Gift To Be Simple: Words For National Simplicity Day
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This could be a simple mistake of accidentally clicking “publish” over “save draft” at a CNN news desk.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
"I am very simple - it is about earning a living," he added on BBC Radio 5 Live.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
But with roughly 50,000 city employees, and the nation’s third-largest police department across the street, why is a simple security detail such an impossible challenge?
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026
“It was a simple, calculated move,” said Zsuzsanna Szelényi, a biographer of Orbán who joined Fidesz, but later split from the party.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
“I was quite concerned that we had missed something,” Malone said, his simple words belying the deep emotion in his voice.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
