simply

American  

[sim-plee] / ˈsɪm pli /

adverb

1. in a simple manner; clearly and easily.

2. plainly; unaffectedly.

3. sincerely; artlessly.

   to speak simply as a child.

4. merely; only.

   It is simply a cold.

5. unwisely; foolishly.

   If you behave simply toward him, you're bound to be betrayed.

6. wholly; absolutely.

   simply irresistible.

---

simply British  

/ ˈsɪmplɪ /

adverb

1. in a simple manner

2. merely; only

3. absolutely; altogether; really

   a simply wonderful holiday

4. (sentence modifier) frankly; candidly

---

Etymology

Origin of simply

First recorded in 1250–1300, simply is from the Middle English word simpleliche. See simple, -ly

Example Sentences

More recently, after a nearby area was hit, she says her sister simply said: "I hope the war finishes soon."

From BBC

Quite simply, it is not even worth contemplating from England's viewpoint.

From BBC

Still, building a rally for the S&P 500 without those names—which alone carry more than double the weight of the entire energy sector—is simply not possible.

From Barron's

Rather than being adaptations, they’re more like fan-service brand extensions that simply recreate the characters and action that fans have loved for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

But as applied to Ms. Chiles, it functions as a state control of what she may say, threatening therapists “with fines, probation, and the loss of their licenses simply for expressing a particular view.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• commonly
• directly
• easily
• honestly
• naturally
• openly
• quietly