simple
SIHM-puhl
Simple (adj) means Easy to understand or do; not complicated. Example: “The instructions were simple enough for a child to follow.”
adj
1
Easy to understand or do; not complicated.
"The instructions were simple enough for a child to follow."
"It's a simple fix — just restart the router."
"Her explanation was clear and simple, so everyone understood the rules."
2
Plain, with no extra decoration or fuss.
"She wore a simple black dress to the funeral."
"The room had simple white walls and a plain wooden floor."
"I prefer a simple gold ring to anything with stones on it."
3
Honest and straightforward, without any hidden agenda; sometimes, unflatteringly, naive or slow-witted.
"He's a simple, good-hearted man who trusts everyone."
"My uncle is a simple soul who says exactly what he thinks."
"Some people mistook her honest, simple manner for a lack of intelligence."
noun
1
A medicinal herb, or a remedy made from just one plant (an older, mostly historical use).
"The apothecary kept a garden of simples for making tinctures."
"The old healer gathered simples from the hedgerows each summer."
"In those days, a cup of tea made from a simple was the usual cure for a cough."
How to use simple
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEasy, plain, or uncomplicated — the opposite of complex or fancy.
Common mistake
Calling a person "simple" (meaning slow-witted) is old-fashioned and can come across as an insult — in modern English it's safer to save "simple" for things, not people, unless you mean it as a compliment about honesty.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
keep it simple
a simple explanation
simple as that
a simple life
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Word forms
- Plural
- simples
- Third person singular
- simples
- Past tense
- simpled
- Comparative
- simpler, more simple
- Superlative
- simplest, most simple
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The instructions were _____ enough for a child to follow.
Etymology
From Old French simple, from Latin simplex ("onefold"), built from semel ("the same, once") plus plicare ("to fold") — literally "folded only once," as opposed to something duplex, or "twofold."
Synonyms
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easy
straightforward
uncomplicated
clear
basic
plain
elementary
effortless
simpleton
unsubdivided
bare
childlike
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for simple
See all rhymes for simple →Frequently asked questions
What does “simple” mean?
The word “simple” means easy to understand or do; not complicated. In plain terms, easy, plain, or uncomplicated — the opposite of complex or fancy.
How do you pronounce “simple”?
“Simple” is pronounced SIHM-puhl (/ˈsɪm.pəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “simple” in a sentence?
Here is “simple” used in a sentence: “The instructions were simple enough for a child to follow.”
What part of speech is “simple”?
Depending on how it is used, “simple” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “simple” come from?
The word “simple” comes from Latin. From Old French simple, from Latin simplex ("onefold"), built from semel ("the same, once") plus plicare ("to fold") — literally "folded only once," as opposed to something duplex, or "twofold.".
Is “simple” a common word?
“Simple” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “simple” have?
“Simple” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easy to understand or do; not complicated.
What is the difference between simple and simplistic?
Simple means easy to understand and free of unnecessary complication — usually a compliment. Simplistic means oversimplified: treating something complex as if it were straightforward and ignoring important details — usually a criticism. A simple explanation is clear and accurate; a simplistic one leaves out what actually matters.
What is the difference between simple and easy?
Simple describes something with few parts or little complication in its structure. Easy describes something that takes little effort to do. The two often overlap but not always: a plan can be simple yet hard to carry out, like 'eat less, move more' — simple to grasp, difficult to sustain.
Is simple a positive or negative word?
Usually positive or neutral. Calling a design, an explanation or a recipe simple is normally praise, meaning clear and easy to follow. It can turn mildly negative when describing a person as simple, implying a lack of intelligence, so tone and context decide how it lands.
What is the opposite of simple?
The most common opposites are complicated and complex, both meaning made up of many connected parts that are hard to follow. Depending on the sense, difficult, elaborate or intricate can also serve as antonyms. For the 'plain' shade of meaning, fancy or ornate act as opposites instead.
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