simple

American  

[sim-puhl] / ˈsɪm pəl /

adjective

simpler, comparative simplest superlative

1. easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: simple tools.

   a simple matter;

   simple tools.

   Synonyms:

   lucid, unmistakable, understandable, intelligible, clear

2. not elaborate or artificial; plain.

   a simple style.

   Synonyms:

   neat, unembellished, natural

3. not ornate or luxurious; unadorned.

   a simple gown.

4. unaffected; unassuming; modest.

   a simple manner.

5. not complicated.

   a simple design.

6. not complex or compound; single

7. occurring or considered alone; mere; bare.

   the simple truth;

   a simple fact.

8. free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional.

   a frank, simple answer.

   Synonyms:

   ingenuous, guileless, artless

9. common or ordinary.

   a simple soldier.

10. not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious.

    a simple way of life.

11. humble or lowly.

    simple folk.

12. inconsequential or rudimentary.

    Synonyms:

    unnecessary, nonessential, trivial, trifling

13. unlearned; ignorant.

    Synonyms:

    stupid, untutored

14. lacking mental acuteness or sense.

    a simple way of thinking.

15. unsophisticated; naive; credulous.

16. simpleminded.

17. Chemistry.

    1. composed of only one substance or element.

       a simple substance.

    2. not mixed.

18. Botany. not divided into parts: a simple stem.

    a simple leaf;

    a simple stem.

19. Zoology. not compound.

    a simple ascidian.

20. Music. uncompounded or without overtones; single.

    simple tone.

21. Grammar. having only the head without modifying elements included.

    The simple subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “pony.”

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

23. Mathematics. linear.

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

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noun

1. an ignorant, foolish, or gullible person.

2. something simple, unmixed, or uncompounded.

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

4. a person of humble origins; commoner.

5. an herb or other plant used for medicinal purposes.

   country simples.

simple British  

/ ˈsɪmpəl /

adjective

1. not involved or complicated; easy to understand or do

   a simple problem

2. plain; unadorned

   a simple dress

3. consisting of one element or part only; not combined or complex

   a simple mechanism

4. unaffected or unpretentious

   although he became famous, he remained a simple and well-liked man

5. not guileful; sincere; frank

   her simple explanation was readily accepted

6. of humble condition or rank

   the peasant was of simple birth

7. weak in intelligence; feeble-minded

8. (prenominal) without additions or modifications; mere

   the witness told the simple truth

9. (prenomina) ordinary or straightforward

   a simple case of mumps

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

11. maths

    1. (of a fraction) containing only integers

    2. (of an equation) containing variables to the first power only; linear

    3. (of a root of an equation) occurring only once; not multiple

12. biology

    1. not divided into parts

       a simple leaf

       a simple eye

    2. formed from only one ovary

       simple fruit

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

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noun

1. a simpleton; fool

2. a plant, esp a herbaceous plant, having medicinal properties

simple Idioms  

1. see pure and simple.

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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.

Synonym Usage

See homely.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• oversimpleness
  noun
• simpleness
  noun
• unsimpleness
  noun
• oversimple
  adjective
• subsimple
  adjective
• ultrasimple
  adjective
• unsimple
  adjective
• oversimply
  adverb
• unsimply
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Adjectives

• simpler
  comparative
• simplest
  superlative

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; see simplex, duple, double; see also -fold; cognate with Greek háplos ( see 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!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

simple simpler simplest

A TOD is a simple, low-cost way to pass your home directly to your kids while avoiding the lengthy and expensive probate process, which is a major priority for you.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

It was confusing and frustrating, full of obscure abbreviations and requiring way too many clicks to put in a simple order.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

"I would look at those skills and go back to basics. They are a relatively simple fix."

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

The piece foreshadows Saar’s penchant for transforming common items into near-mystical objects with seemingly simple flourishes that belie complex themes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Her butter-colored hair had been combed into a simple ponytail.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Instead of handing over the actual text, the AI pulls out key ideas and explains them in simpler language -- something Yang thinks could be huge for students.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Rather than reverse-engineering a large molecule, eCPs can hit the same biological target and produce the same clinical effect through a much simpler molecule.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

For a simpler option, sprinkle in a pre-made umami spice blend.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

In the view of John Campbell, senior portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments, there’s a simpler explanation for the Magnificent Seven’s recent comeback: “safety in earnings.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026

“What could be simpler? And we won’t have to keep him there long. Richard and I can stay with him. I’ll buy a case of champagne. We’ll make it look like a party.”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

It democratizes constitutional enforcement because it poses the simplest and most urgent question: Does the state have actual grounds to take away this person’s liberty?

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

It sits in my garage as a simple reminder that some of the simplest things can change the entire direction of your life.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026

For Swire, the simplest explanation is that Iran was behind the attack - not Libya.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

The simplest way to escape this debt burden is to do what the U.S. did after 1945, and inflate it away.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

I explained how I had reconstructed the text, then quoted the reconstructed text from memory, showing him how it fitted perfectly to the explanation offered by the simplest of all the commentaries.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Related Words

• clean
• elementary
• plain
• quiet
• smooth
• straightforward
• transparent
• uncomplicated