simple

/'simpl/
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simple

A simple wooden bridge crosses the small stream.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Easy to understand or do; not complicated: Having few parts or steps; straightforward.
    • Plain or basic in form, design, or nature; without much decoration or extra things: Not ornate or luxurious.
    • Used to emphasize the fundamental or absolute nature of something: Mere, pure, or nothing more than.
    • Having or showing a lack of experience, sophistication, or intelligence: Naive, credulous, or unsophisticated.
    • (Botany) Of a leaf: Not divided into separate parts.
  2. Noun:

    • (Archaic) A person lacking intelligence or common sense: A foolish or naive person.
    • (Archaic) A medicinal herb or plant: A plant used for healing.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:

    • The instructions were simple and easy to follow.
    • She prefers a simple black dress without any patterns.
    • It was a simple case of mistaken identity.
    • He has a simple, trusting nature.
    • The tree has simple leaves, not compound ones.
  • Noun:

    • The wise fool in the story outsmarted the so-called simples of the court. (Archaic)
    • The healer gathered various simples from the forest. (Archaic)
Advanced Usage
  • "The simple life": A way of living that is plain and without modern luxuries or complications.

    • After retiring, they moved to the countryside to enjoy the simple life.
  • "Simple as that": Used to emphasize that something is very straightforward or requires no further explanation.

    • If you're not happy, leave. It's as simple as that.
  • "Pure and simple": Used after a noun to emphasize that something is the only or most important factor.

    • His success was due to hard work, pure and simple.
Variants and Related Words
  • Simplify (verb): To make something simpler or easier to do or understand.

    • The new software simplifies the tax filing process.
  • Simplicity (noun): The quality or condition of being simple.

    • The simplicity of the design is its greatest strength.
  • Simplistic (adjective): Treating complex issues as if they were much simpler than they are, often misleadingly so. (Note: This is different from 'simple' and can have a negative connotation.)

    • His simplistic solution failed to address the root causes of the problem.
Synonyms
  • Easy, straightforward, uncomplicated (for tasks/problems).
  • Plain, basic, unadorned (for style/design).
  • Mere, sheer, pure (for emphasis).
  • Naive, unsophisticated, guileless (for character).
Antonyms
  • Complex, complicated, difficult.
  • Ornate, elaborate, fancy.
  • Sophisticated, worldly, shrewd.
Related Phrases
  • Keep it simple: An instruction or principle to avoid unnecessary complexity.

    • When giving a presentation, it's best to keep it simple.
  • Simple-minded: Having or showing a lack of intelligence or good judgment.

    • It was a simple-minded plan that was bound to fail.
simple

A simple wooden bridge crosses the small stream.

Adjective
  1. unornamented
    • a simple country schoolhouse
    • her black dress--simple to austerity
  2. (botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions
  3. lacking mental capacity and subtlety
  4. exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity
    • childlike trust
    • dewy-eyed innocence
    • listened in round-eyed wonder
  5. apart from anything else; without additions or modifications
    • only the bare facts
    • shocked by the mere idea
    • the simple passage of time was enough
    • the simple truth
  6. easy and not involved or complicated
    • an elementary problem in statistics
    • elementary, my dear Watson
    • a simple game
    • found an uncomplicated solution to the problem
  7. having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
    • a simple problem
    • simple mechanisms
    • a simple design
    • a simple substance
Noun
  1. a person lacking intelligence or common sense
  2. any herbaceous plant having medicinal properties