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simple definition

sim·ple (simpəl)

adjective simpler -·pler, simplest -·plest

  1. having or consisting of only one part, feature, substance, etc.; not compounded or complex; single
  2. having few parts or features; not complicated or involved a simple pattern
  3. easy to do, solve, or understand, as a task, question, etc.
  4. without additions or qualifications; mere; bare the simple facts
    1. not ornate; unembellished; unadorned simple clothes
    2. not luxurious or elegant; plain simple tastes
  5. pure; unadulterated
  6. without guile or deceit; innocent; artless
    1. without ostentation or affectation; natural
    2. lacking sophistication; naive
  7. of low rank or position; specif.,
    1. humble; lowly
    2. common; ordinary
  8. lacking significance; unimportant
    1. having or showing little sense or reasoning ability; easily misled or deceived; stupid or foolish
    2. uneducated or ignorant
  9. Bot.
    1. consisting of one piece; whole
    2. not branched
    3. developing from a single pistil or carpel a simple fruit
  10. Chem.
    1. elementary
    2. unmixed
  11. Law unconditional; absolute in fee simple
  12. Zool. not divided into or made up of parts; not compounded a simple eye

Etymology: OFr < L simplus < IE *sṃplos < bases *sem-, one + *-plo-, -fold: see double

noun

  1. a person who is ignorant or easily misled
  2. something having only one part, substance, etc.
  3. Archaic
    1. a medicinal herb
    2. a medicine made from such a plant
  4. Archaic a person of humble position

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
simple Synonyms

simple

modif.

  1. Not complicated

    single, unmixed, unblended, mere, uncompounded, unalloyed, unadulterated, not complex, uncomplicated, without confusion, simplistic, not confusing, pure.

  2. Plain

    unadorned, unaffected, homely; see modest 2.

  3. Easy

    easy, not difficult, mild, of little difficulty, not arduous, done with ease, with great facility, manageable, presenting no difficulty, not puzzling; see also easy 2.

    Antonyms obscure*, puzzling*, difficult*. *

  4. Stupid

    inane, dull, ignorant; see shallow 2, stupid 1.

  5. Unsophisticated

    ingenuous, plain, artless; see innocent 1, naive. See syn. study at easy.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

simple Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • keep: Foundations 2 & 3 state &#x2018; understand the risk reward ratio ' and &#x2018; Try and keep things simple ' .

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: To keep things simple, we suggest that you copy the pictures you wish to use into your My Pictures or My Documents folder.

Modifies a noun

  • step: The five simple steps will be: 1. Complete your details.

Modifying Another Word

  • relatively: There are two relatively simple approaches to solve such equations.

Infinitive complement

  • install: Being fully portable, they are simple to install.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: It seems simple, but I make it so complicated.
simple usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

simple quotes

The entrance of thy wordsgiveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

-Bible (Old Testament)

All known religious beliefs, whether simple or complex, present one common characteristic: they presuppose a classification of all things, real and ideal, of which men think, into two classes or opposed groups, generally designated†profane and sacred.

-Durkheim, EŁ  mile

Everything should be madeassimpleaspossible, but not simpler.

-Einstein, Albert

simple quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"simple." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/simple>

APA Style

simple. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/simple

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