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Meaning of simple in English

  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

    • easy
  2. 2. exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity

    Examples

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

    Synonyms

    • naive
    • naif
  3. 3. lacking mental capacity and devoid of subtlety

    Synonyms

    • retarded
  4. 4. not elaborate in style

    Examples

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

    Synonyms

    • plain
  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

    • elemental
    • ultimate
    • oversimplified
    • simplistic
    • simplex
    • simplified
    • unanalyzable
    • undecomposable
    • uncomplicated
    • unsophisticated

    Antonyms

    • complex
  8. 2. (botany) of leaf shapes

    Examples

    • « of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions »

    Synonyms

    • acerate
    • acerose
    • acicular
    • needle-shaped
    • acuminate
    • apiculate
    • caudate
    • cordate
    • heart-shaped
    • cordiform
    • cuneate
    • wedge-shaped
    • deltoid
    • dolabriform
    • dolabrate
    • elliptic
    • ensiform
    • sword-shaped
    • swordlike
    • bladelike
    • hastate
    • spearhead-shaped
    • lanceolate
    • lancelike
    • linear
    • elongate
    • lyrate
    • obtuse
    • oblanceolate
    • oblong
    • obovate
    • orbiculate
    • orbicular
    • ovate
    • pandurate
    • panduriform
    • fiddle-shaped
    • peltate
    • shield-shaped
    • perfoliate
    • reniform
    • kidney-shaped
    • sagittate
    • sagittiform
    • arrow-shaped
    • spatulate
    • spatula-shaped
    • unlobed

    Antonyms

    • compound

See also

  • simple
  • smooth

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