simplify

[ sim-pluh-fahy ]

/ ˈsɪm pləˌfaɪ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: simplify / simplified / simplifies / simplification on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), sim·pli·fied, sim·pli·fy·ing.

to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier: to simplify a problem.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of simplify

1645–55; <French simplifier<Medieval Latin simplificāre to make simple, equivalent to Latin simpli- (combining form of simplussimple) + -ficāre-fy

OTHER WORDS FROM simplify

sim·pli·fi·ca·tion, nounsim·pli·fi·ca·tive, adjectivesim·pli·fi·er, sim·pli·fi·ca·tor, nounnon·sim·pli·fi·ca·tion, noun

su·per·sim·pli·fy, verb (used with object), su·per·sim·pli·fied, su·per·sim·pli·fy·ing.un·sim·pli·fied, adjectiveun·sim·pli·fy·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH simplify

simple, simplified , simplistic

Words nearby simplify

simplex, simplex method, simplicidentate, simplicity, Simplicius, simplify, simplism, simplistic, Simplon, Simplon Pass, simply

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use simplify in a sentence

The post Google’s updated phrase match simplifies keywords and worries advertisers appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Google’s updated phrase match simplifies keywords and worries advertisers|George Nguyen|February 9, 2021|Search Engine Land
In order for different devices to communicate with one another, this type of communication system had to be standardized or simplified so all units can understand one another.
Hints From Heloise: An easy way to check return on investment|Heloise Heloise|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
For creators, the feature simplifies the process of responding to questions, as it lets them view all their fans’ questions in one place.
TikTok’s new Q&A feature lets creators respond to fan questions using text or video|Sarah Perez|January 20, 2021|TechCrunch
Fortunately, other ideas emerged that suggested ways forward for higher-degree polynomials, which could be simplified through substitution.
Mathematicians Resurrect Hilbert’s 13th Problem|Stephen Ornes|January 14, 2021|Quanta Magazine

The new health protocols would simplify the NBA’s investigations of players who are caught on camera in public settings.
NBA’s tightened coronavirus protocols limit pregame hugs, hotel guests and going out in public|Ben Golliver|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
“He got me away from jazz and helped me simplify my craft and began my commercial songwriting thing,” she says.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva|Marlow Stern|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Erdoğan is either unaware of that or sought to simplify history.
Turkish President Declares Lawrence of Arabia a Bigger Enemy than ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They simultaneously over-simplify and inflame a conflict that is already poorly understood.
Is Twitter Trolling Making the Israel-Palestine Conflict Worse?|Emily Shire|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Second Market provides solutions for private companies and investment funds to simplify private capital markets.
Inside Japan’s Bitcoin Heist|Jake Adelstein|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Big business has been begging for comprehensive tax reform that will simplify their lives.
Mystery Solved: Here’s Why Big Business Keeps Supporting Republicans Even as Republicans Destroy the Economy|Daniel Gross|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And this fact seemed pregnant with evidence as to Gordon's state of mind; it did not appear to simplify the situation.
Confidence|Henry James
He almost hoped that Napoleon would use force after all, and that a war with France would come to simplify the situation.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King
People who look at things in that way simplify matters for the Recording Angel.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
Obviously some one must be removed in order to simplify this tangle, but who?
A German Pompadour|Marie Hay
But some of us could simplify the day and so find room for unmitigated enjoyment in the evening.
Girls and Women|Harriet E. Paine (AKA E. Chester}

British Dictionary definitions for simplify

simplify

/ (ˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to make less complicated, clearer, or easier

maths to reduce (an equation, fraction, etc) to a simpler form by cancellation of common factors, regrouping of terms in the same variable, etc

Derived forms of simplify

simplification, nounsimplificative, adjectivesimplifier, noun

Word Origin for simplify

C17: via French from Medieval Latin simplificāre, from Latin simplus simple + facere to make

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

simplify

Origin of simplify

OTHER WORDS FROM simplify

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH simplify

Words nearby simplify

Words related to simplify

How to use simplify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for simplify

Derived forms of simplify

Word Origin for simplify