Meaning of simple in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions
  4. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈsɪmpəl/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    simple

    Definitions

    1. easy and not involved or complicated

    Examples

    • « an elementary problem in statistics »
    • « elementary, my dear Watson »
    • « a simple game »
    • « found an uncomplicated solution to the problem »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity

    Examples

    • « childlike trust »
    • « dewy-eyed innocence »
    • « simple courtesy »

    Synonyms

  3. 3. lacking mental capacity and devoid of subtlety

    Synonyms

  4. 4. not elaborate in style

    Examples

    • « unornamented »
    • « a simple country schoolhouse »
    • « her black dress--simple to austerity »

    Synonyms

  5. Noun

    simple

    Definitions

    1. any herbaceous plant having medicinal properties
  6. 2. a person lacking intelligence or common sense

  7. Qualitative Adjective

    simple

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French, from Latin simplus. The noun sense (mid 16th century) originally referred to a medicine made from one constituent, especially from one plant

    Definitions

    1. having few parts

    Examples

    • « not complex or complicated or involved »
    • « a simple problem »
    • « simple mechanisms »
    • « a simple design »
    • « a simple substance »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

  8. 2. (botany) of leaf shapes

    Examples

    • « of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. »
    Eleonora Duse
  • « Film editing is now something almost everyone can do at a simple level and enjoy it, but to take it to a higher level requires the same dedication and persistence that any art form does. »
    Walter Murch
  • « Government is force, pure and simple. There's no way to sugar-coat that. And because government is force, it will attract the worst elements of society - people who want to use government to avoid having to earn their living and to avoid having to persuade others to accept their ideas voluntarily. »
    Harry Browne
  • « God is a metaphor for that which transcends all levels of intellectual thought. It's as simple as that. »
    Joseph Campbell
  • « My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. »
    Cary Grant

See also

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