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simple

simple

533 1.0
Only the basic fact or thing
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɪmpl/
: mero
  • The recipe calls for just three simple ingredients: flour, sugar, and eggs.
  • the simple answer
  • the simple fact
  • the simple reason

And this isn't just as simple as a trauma bond.

Examples

  • And I believe that it comes down to one simple word, judgement.

  • I wish it were that simple.

  • Now we took out a very simple message to our people.

  • I'm just asking you a simple question.

  • The aim of this research is quite simple: to bring some of these issues to the forefront.

    Academic text (2017)
  • We believe that the change proposed in this article is simple, beneficial, and inevitable.

    Academic text (2011)
  • So there's these simple things that we can learn.

  • It's simple, really.

  • Seems simple enough.

  • It's very simple.

Synonyms

mere
vssimple
371 3.4

Showing that something is only small and not important

is used to stress that nothing beyond what is mentioned is involved
plain
vssimple
180 1.0

Simple and not decorated or flavored

focuses on asserting that no further elements are involved
nothing fancy
vssimple
19 2.7

Simple and plain without anything special or expensive

stresses that only the mentioned element and no addition applies
bare-bones
vssimple
12 4.2

Very simple, with only the basic parts that are needed

expresses the same idea but stresses absence of any extras beyond mention
no-frills
vssimple
7 3.8

Simple and basic without extra services or decoration

adds stronger emphasis that nothing more than what is stated applies
inelaborate
vssimple
7.4

Simple and having few details

highlights that no additional parts or changes are included

Antonyms

∞ 5.4

Difficult to understand or deal with because it has many connected parts

668 5.6

Not simple because it has many connected parts

Idioms

Make something easy to understand by not adding extra details

Very easy for anyone to understand or do

7.5

Very easy to do and understand

Compounds

A small everyday moment that makes you happy

simple sentence
  • Specialized
5 2.6

A sentence with just one clause and no extra clauses

simple sugar
  • Specialized
2 3.7

A small sweet part of food the body uses for quick energy, like glucose or fructose

simple machine
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A basic tool like a lever or pulley that makes work easier by changing the force

simple past
  • Specialized
1 1.6

A verb form that shows an action finished in the past

fee simple
  • Formal
1 9.8

Full ownership of land without time limit that you can sell or leave to anyone

simple fraction
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A number that shows a part of a whole with whole numbers on top and bottom, like 3/4

simple fracture
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A broken bone that does not cut the skin or badly damage nearby tissue

simple-mindedness
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A way of thinking that is not careful or deep

simple protein
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A protein that gives only amino acids when it is broken down

simple regression
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A method that uses one number to predict another number

simple interest
  • Specialized
1 3.4

Extra money added only to the original amount, not to any earlier added money

simple eye
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A part of an insect or spider body with one lens that helps it see

simple present
  • Specialized
1 2.3

A verb tense that talks about regular actions, facts, and situations that are true now

present simple
  • Specialized
1 2.7

A verb tense for actions and facts that happen often and are true now

simple pendulum
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A small weight hung from a light string of fixed length that swings back and forth

1 6.3

A repeating back and forth movement where the pull back gets stronger the farther it moves from center

simple mastectomy
  • Specialized
1 4.3

An operation that removes a breast but leaves the chest muscles and lymph nodes still there

simple microscope
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A lens that uses light to make tiny things look bigger

simple phobia
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A strong, unreasonable fear of a specific thing or situation, like spiders and heights

past simple
  • Specialized
1 3.1

A verb form that shows an action or state happened and finished in the past

simple leaf
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A single flat leaf blade not divided into leaflets

simple fruit
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A fruit that grows from one part of a flower with seeds inside, like a grape

1 9.9

Full ownership of a house or land that you can sell and leave to someone

simple closed curve
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A curved line on a flat surface that makes a closed loop without crossing itself, like a circle

simple preposition
  • Specialized
1 1.0

A single word that shows place, time or direction, like in

simple absence
  • Specialized
7.5

A brief loss of awareness when someone stares blankly for a few seconds

simple cami
  • Informal
3.4

A lightweight sleeveless top worn under clothes or alone

simple pistil
  • Specialized
7.0

The part of a flower that has only one section that makes seeds

How Minimal

bare
55 3.5
simple
533 1.0
only
∞ 1.0
limited
907 2.5

Surface Forms

simple positive
simpler comparative
simplest superlative

Etymology

Simple comes from the Latin simplex, with sim- 'one' and -plex 'fold', meaning 'single'. So when we say 'the simple truth' or 'the simple fact' we mean there is just one thing involved, nothing more.