simplicity
Americannoun
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the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
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freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts.
an organism of great simplicity.
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absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness.
a life of simplicity.
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freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness; naturalness.
a simplicity of manner.
- Synonyms:
- honesty, directness, candor
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lack of mental acuteness or shrewdness.
Politics is not a field for simplicity about human nature.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of simplicity
1325–75; Middle English simplicite (< Old French simplicité ) < Latin simplicitās simpleness, equivalent to simplici- (stem of simplex ) simplex + -tās -ty 2
Explanation
Simplicity is a noun that means "the quality of being plain." The simplicity of your prom dress made you stand out in the sea of ruffles and sequins. Simplicity describes a lack of ornamentation, like a Christmas tree that is only decorated with white lights instead of being fancied up with lots of ornaments, tinsel and multi-colored bulbs. The noun simplicity also means "freedom from hardship or effort" like the simplicity of hanging out on your porch. Simplicity also describes something easy to accomplish or understand.
Vocabulary lists containing simplicity
'Tis A Gift To Be Simple: Words For National Simplicity Day
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"On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
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poems about transcendental thinking
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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.
See Examples For:
The scientists said this unveiled "a simplicity underlying the spectacular diversity of birdsongs".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
“The recipient may be wealthier, but may also face substantially higher taxes, Medicare costs and administrative responsibilities at a stage of life when simplicity matters most.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
“Our annual pricing sensitivities, which are based on a 15 day lag for simplicity, do not account for the steep changes near quarter end,” Beerman says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
“Blow Out” tees up an astonishing setup and payoff, yet does so with a graceful simplicity that makes returning to the film edifying no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
It is a charming, gentle tune that appeals precisely because of its simplicity.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
But the song is still a reverie, never imagining a life beyond the small-town simplicities.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2023
Lyrical simplicities aside, her songs are weird, distinctive, beautiful, ranging, and complicated.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2021
With 20 years of brand recognition on its side, “The SpongeBob Musical” sets the sincere simplicities of the series to song.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2019
But visit the border in southern California - where they say it is the busiest international crossing point in the world - and you witness the complexities, not the simplicities.
From BBC ● May 24, 2016
When home from the hotel circuit, Howard’s longings were for the simplicities of small-town life: spending time with family and friends and working in the family’s poolroom.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
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.
