simplicity
Americannoun
-
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
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"On Turning Ten" by Billy Collins
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
poems about transcendental thinking
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 big secret of the ambitious McCreary’s success harks back to lessons of simplicity that Bernstein taught him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
But let’s say your house will cost $500,000, for the sake of simplicity.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
While any line for fro-yo is usually too long for this grouchy reporter, after trying versions at Myka, Pinkberry, 16 Handles and Mimi’s, Anita won out on simplicity, freshness and light texture.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Part of this atlas's appeal lies in its simplicity.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Rex Rollins, eating a Dorito by the piano, looks around and shakes his head, really digging this girl’s answer, and calls to Garret Charles, “I love the simplicity of that.”
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Carson Palmer had gotten used to the simplicities of football being done for him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2025
Lyrical simplicities aside, her songs are weird, distinctive, beautiful, ranging, and complicated.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2021
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
You do some violence to private emotion and private thought when you reduce it to simplicities of public conversation.
From Washington Post ● May 1, 2015
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.
