simple Hear it!

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 © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (7)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
Simple grammar question45 months ago
What form is correct-simple grammar?665 months ago
simple past/present perfect88 months ago
present perfect simple / progressive39 months ago
present perfect / simple past69 months ago

See all 7 discussions · Browse Forums