simple
- 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.
- 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.
Origin of simple
Synonym study
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comConfusables note
Related Words
straightforwardplainsmoothquiettransparentcleanelementaryuncomplicatedpureclassicmodesthonestnaturaldirectbasicstupidsillysnaplightpicnicExamples from the Web for simpler
Contemporary Examples
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 HeroRegina Lizik
October 28, 2014
At that time of day, we are easily rattled by simpler debates than the Middle East conflict.
MISTER not only publicized the app, it encouraged men to access it from within their profiles for simpler sharing between users.
Does anyone else remember a simpler, more parsimonious America?
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 WeaponAndrew Romano
April 17, 2014
Historical Examples
In the simpler phrasing of Uncle Peter Bines, he will "cut loose."
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
The fact that she doesn't receive you makes it simpler, too.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
The more Hetty thought over her plan, the simpler and more feasible it appeared.
Hetty's Strange HistoryAnonymous
With the simpler creatures, good and bad are things simply understood.
White FangJack London
The more I think of that, the loftier and simpler it seems to grow.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
simple
- 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
- a simpleton; fool
- a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties
Word Origin
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.