simplicity
Americannoun
plural
simplicities-
the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
-
freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts.
an organism of great simplicity.
-
absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness.
a life of simplicity.
-
freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness; naturalness.
a simplicity of manner.
- Synonyms:
- honesty, directness, candor
-
lack of mental acuteness or shrewdness.
Politics is not a field for simplicity about human nature.
noun
Other Word Forms
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.
Simplicity delivers an almost wounding effect in his exemplary review of Arthur Penn’s 1967 crime drama “Bonnie and Clyde,” a film fueled by the intoxicating partnership of Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
Simplicity is a discipline, not naïveté: Buffett avoided complexity not because he lacked skill, but because he recognized its dangers.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025
Simplicity, focus and less-is-more are indicative of our approach to our dishes.
From Salon • Feb. 4, 2025
Kim John Payne, who wrote Simplicity Parenting with Lisa M. Ross, sees the compulsion to prioritize things “almost like a relational replacement.”
From Slate • Jan. 11, 2025
I had made it myself from a Simplicity pattern and cinched it at the waist with a white patent- leather belt borrowed from Mrs. Baxter.
From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez
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.
