simple

[ sim-puhl ]

/ ˈsɪm pəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR simple ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, sim·pler, sim·plest.

easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.

not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.

not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.

unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.

not complicated: a simple design.

not complex or compound; single.

occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.

free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional: a frank, simple answer.

common or ordinary: a simple soldier.

not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious: a simple way of life.

humble or lowly: simple folk.

inconsequential or rudimentary.

unlearned; ignorant.

lacking mental acuteness or sense: a simple way of thinking.

unsophisticated; naive; credulous.

simpleminded.

Chemistry.

composed of only one substance or element: a simple substance.
not mixed.

Botany. not divided into parts: a simple leaf; a simple stem.

Zoology. not compound: a simple ascidian.

Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single: simple tone.

Grammar. having only the head without modifying elements included: The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.”Compare complete(def 5).

(of a verb tense) consisting of a main verb with no auxiliaries, as takes (simple present) or stood (simple past) (opposed to compound).

Mathematics. linear(def 7).

Optics. (of a lens) having two optical surfaces only.

noun

an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.

something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.

simples, Textiles. cords for controlling the warp threads in forming the shed on draw-looms.

a person of humble origins; commoner.

an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes: country simples.

Nearby words

simoom, simp, simpatico, simper, simpering, simple, simple absence, simple algebraic extension, simple arc, simple carbohydrate, simple closed curve

Origin of simple

1175–1225; (adj.) Middle English < Old French < Late Latin simplus simple, Latin (in simpla pecunia simple fee or sum), equivalent to sim- one (see simplex) + -plus, as in duplus duple, double (see -fold); cognate with Greek háplos (see haplo-); (noun) Middle English: commoner, derivative of the adj.

SYNONYMS FOR simple

1 clear, intelligible, understandable, unmistakable, lucid.

2 natural, unembellished, neat.

8 artless, guileless, ingenuous.

12 trifling, trivial, nonessential, unnecessary.

13 untutored, stupid.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR simple ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

sim·ple·ness, nouno·ver·sim·ple, adjectiveo·ver·sim·ple·ness, nouno·ver·sim·p·ly, adverb

sub·sim·ple, adjectiveul·tra·sim·ple, adjectiveun·sim·ple, adjectiveun·sim·ple·ness, nounun·sim·p·ly, adverb

Can be confusedsimple simplified simplistic (see confusables note at simplistic)

Synonym study

10. See homely.

Confusables note

See simplistic.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for simpler

We see that he has not shed his desire to return to a simpler life.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At that time of day, we are easily rattled by simpler debates than the Middle East conflict.
Gaza, You're No Good For My Marriage|Josh Robin|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
MISTER not only publicized the app, it encouraged men to access it from within their profiles for simpler sharing between users.
Breaking: Grindr-ing Leads to Gonorrhea|Brandy Zadrozny|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does anyone else remember a simpler, more parsimonious America?
The Golden Age of Government by Groupon|Nick Gillespie|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It probably would have been much safer to do a smaller-budget movie with a simpler theme.
How ‘Transcendence’ Director Wally Pfister Became Christopher Nolan’s Secret Weapon|Andrew Romano|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is simpler than most, but it illustrates very aptly the grace of idea and expression which is characteristic of this poet.
Studies of Contemporary Poets|Mary C. Sturgeon
At the laboratory, the new apparatus looked immensely lighter and simpler than the old.
The Ultimate Weapon|John Wood Campbell
It is simpler, cleaner, and more rapid in working, and never damages the grain of the skin.
Leather|K. J. Adcock
We shall forget the "laughter and the tears" and the "sudden freshet," and a simpler phrase will form itself in our memories.
Memoirs of My Dead Life|George Moore
The food is broken into simpler compounds and the contained energy is liberated.
The Story of the Living Machine|H. W. Conn

British Dictionary definitions for simpler

simple

/ (ˈsɪmpəl) /

adjective

not involved or complicated; easy to understand or doa simple problem

plain; unadorneda simple dress

consisting of one element or part only; not combined or complexa simple mechanism

unaffected or unpretentiousalthough he became famous, he remained a simple and well-liked man

not guileful; sincere; frankher simple explanation was readily accepted

of humble condition or rankthe peasant was of simple birth

weak in intelligence; feeble-minded

(prenominal) without additions or modifications; merethe witness told the simple truth

(prenomina) ordinary or straightforwarda simple case of mumps

chem (of a substance or material) consisting of only one chemical compound rather than a mixture of compounds

maths

(of a fraction) containing only integers
(of an equation) containing variables to the first power only; linear
(of a root of an equation) occurring only once; not multiple

biology

not divided into partsa simple leaf; a simple eye
formed from only one ovarysimple fruit

music relating to or denoting a time where the number of beats per bar may be two, three, or four

noun archaic

a simpleton; fool

a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties

Derived Formssimpleness, noun

Word Origin for simple

C13: via Old French from Latin simplex plain

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

Word Origin and History for simpler

simple

adj.

c.1200, "free from duplicity, upright, guileless; blameless, innocently harmless," also "ignorant, uneducated; unsophisticated; simple-minded, foolish," from Old French simple (12c.) "plain, decent; friendly, sweet; naive, foolish, stupid," hence "wretched, miserable," from Latin simplus, variant of simplex "simple, uncompounded," literally "onefold" (see simplex). Sense of "free from pride, humble, meek" is mid-13c. As "consisting of only one substance or ingredient" (opposite of composite or compounded) it dates from late 14c.; as "easily done" (opposite of complicated) it dates from late 15c.

From mid-14c. as "unqualified; mere; sheer;" also "clear, straightforward; easily understood." From late 14c. as "single, individual; whole." From late 14c. of clothing, etc., "modest, plain, unadorned," and of food, "plain, not sumptuous." In medicine, of fractures, etc., "lacking complications," late 14c. As a law term, "lacking additional legal stipulations, unlimited," from mid-14c.

In Middle English with wider senses than recently, e.g. "inadequate, insufficient; weak, feeble; mere; few; sad, downcast; mournful; of little value; low in price; impoverished, destitute;" of hair, "straight, not curly." As noun, "an innocent or a guileless person; a humble or modest person" (late 14c.), also "an uncompounded substance." From c.1500 as "ignorant people."

Idioms and Phrases with simpler

simple

see pure and simple.

simple

adjective, sim·pler, sim·plest.

noun

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simple

adjective

noun archaic

Word Origin for simple

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simple

Idioms and Phrases with simpler

simple

simple

noun

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Origin of simple

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simple

adjective

noun archaic

Word Origin for simple

Word Origin and History for simpler

simple

Idioms and Phrases with simpler

simple

British Dictionary definitions for simpler