simplicity
Americannoun
-
simplicities
plural
-
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:
"A reimagined Citroën 2CV should give a big nod to its ancestor - especially on price and design simplicity as well as visual cues," he says.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Take a sip: Martinis are savored for their elegant simplicity and refined romanticism.
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026
When you are among kin, he tells me, “It is more so about amplifying the beauty that’s there. And the simplicity too.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
It is pleasing in its simplicity, but it also comes with lots of risk, especially if reality doesn’t line up with your calculations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
In the beginning, Inigo had all kinds of wild vengeance notions, but gradually, simplicity had seemed the better way.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
Lyrical simplicities aside, her songs are weird, distinctive, beautiful, ranging, and complicated.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2021
Through much of the book, Mishra sounds downright giddy to be living through a time when “many of our exalted ideas about ourselves have collapsed” and “mind-numbing simplicities about democracy” are being shattered.
From New York Times ● Oct. 6, 2020
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
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
