simple

sim‧ple S1 W1 /ˈsɪmpəl/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative simpler, superlative simplest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑simplicity, ↑simplification, ↑simpleton; adverb: ↑simply, ↑simplistically; adjective: ↑simple, ↑simplistic; verb: ↑simplify]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: 'plain, uncomplicated', from Latin simplus, from sim- 'one' + -plus 'multiplied by']
1. EASY not difficult or complicated to do or understand:
a simple but effective solution to the problem
There is no simple answer to this question.
I’m sure there’s a perfectly simple explanation.
simple to use/make/operate etc
Modern cameras are very simple to use.
relatively/fairly/quite etc simple
There are relatively simple exercises to build strength.
We want to keep the costumes as simple as possible.
We can’t pay people any more money until the company is more profitable. I’m afraid it’s as simple as that.
2. PLAIN made in a plain style, without a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added:
She dressed with simple elegance.
simple but delicious food
a building constructed in a simple classic style
3. ONLY [usually before noun] used to emphasize that only one thing is involved:
Completing the race is not just a simple matter of physical fitness.
The simple fact is, he’s not very good at his job.
Their motive was greed, pure and simple.
4. NOT HAVING MANY PARTS made or built of only a few parts, and not having a complicated structure:
It’s a very simple machine.
They evolved from simple life forms that existed millions of years ago.
5. ORDINARY honest and ordinary and not special in any way:
Joe was just a simple farmer.
6. GRAMMAR technical simple tenses are not formed with an ↑auxiliary such as ‘have’ or ‘be’
7. the simple life life without too many possessions or modern machines, usually in the countryside
8. STUPID [not before noun] someone who is simple is not very intelligent:
I’m afraid Luke’s a bit simple.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ very/extremely/incredibly simple I came up with a very simple answer to this problem.
▪ relatively/fairly/quite simple The rules are quite simple.
▪ deceptively simple (=seeming simple, but in fact complicated or difficult) It’s a deceptively simple idea, but it’s very difficult to put into practice.
▪ perfectly simple Well? It’s a perfectly simple question.
■ phrases
▪ simple to use/make/operate etc The machine is very simple to use.
▪ simple but effective Any child’s behaviour can be improved by this simple but effective technique.
▪ keep something simple Keep your explanation as simple as possible.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

simple

sim·ple [simple simpler simplest] [ˈsɪmpl] [ˈsɪmpl] adjective (sim·pler, sim·plest) You can also use more simple and most simple.

EASY
1. not complicated; easy to understand or do
Syn: easy
• a simple solution
• The answer is really quite simple.
• This machine is very simple to use.
• We lost because we played badly. It's as simple as that.

• Give the necessary information but keep it simple.

BASIC/PLAIN

2. basic or plain without anything extra or unnecessary
• simple but elegant clothes
• We had a simple meal of soup and bread.
• The accommodation is simple but spacious.
• simple pleasures, like reading and walking

Opp: fancy

FOR EMPHASIS

3. used before a noun to emphasize that it is exactly that and nothing else
• Nobody wanted to believe the simple truth.
• It was a matter of simple survival.
• It's nothing to worry about— just a simple headache.

• I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn't trust anyone else.

WITH FEW PARTS

4. usually before noun consisting of only a few parts; not complicated in structure
• simple forms of life, for example amoebas
• a simple machine

• (grammar) a simple sentence (= one with only one verb)

ORDINARY

5. only before noun (of a person) ordinary; not special

• I'm a simple country girl.

NOT INTELLIGENT

6. not usually before noun (of a person) not very intelligent; not mentally normal

• He's not mad— just a little simple.

GRAMMAR

7. used to describe the present or past tense of a verb that is formed without using an auxiliary verb, as in She loves him (= the simple present tense) or He arrived late (= the simple past tense)
see also simply, see pure and simple at pure
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin simplus.
Thesaurus:
simple adj.
1.
• The machine is simple to use.
easy • • straightforward • • uncomplicated • • plain sailing • |written undemanding •
Opp: complicated
simple/easy/straightforward/plain sailing for sb
simple/easy/straightforward/plain sailing to do sth
a/an simple/easy/straightforward matter/decision/test/question
There's no simple/easy/straightforward answer.
Simple or easy? Easy means ‘not difficult’: an easy test/task is one that causes you no difficulties because you have the ability to do it. Simple means ‘not complicated’: a simple task is one that needs only very few, basic actions and does not usually depend on people's abilities.
2. (especially written, usually approving)
• a simple meal of soup and bread
plain • |especially written bare • • austere •
Opp: fancy
a simple/plain/austere design
a simple/plain/bare interior
3. only before noun
• The simple fact is I can't afford it.
plain • • bare • • bald • |formal unequivocal • |often approving honest • • straightforward • |especially written, usually disapproving stark •
the simple/plain/bare/unequivocal/honest/stark truth
a/an simple/plain/bare/unequivocal/stark fact
a/an simple/plain/bare/unequivocal/honest/straightforward/stark statement
a/an simple/plain/unequivocal/honest/straightforward answer
Simple or plain? Simple is used with more collocations and structures than plain. Expressions with simple often suggest impatience with other people's behaviour
• No one wanted to believe the simple truth.
4. usually before noun
• They were simple country people.
unremarkable • |often approving plain • |disapproving ordinary • |often disapproving average •
a/an simple/unremarkable/plain/ordinary/average person
simple/plain ignorance/common sense
Simple or plain? Simple is used more about people and plain about qualities. When used about people simple tells you how other people see sb; plain tells you more about how sb sees him/herself.
Synonyms:
plain
simple • stark • bare • unequivocal
These words all describe statements, often about sth unpleasant, that are very clear, not trying to hide anything, and not using more words than necessary.
plain • used for talking about a fact that other people may not like to hear; honest and direct in way that other people may not like: ▪ The plain fact is that nobody really knows.
simple • [only before noun] used for talking about a fact that other people may not like to hear; very obvious and not complicated by anything else: ▪ The simple truth is that we just can't afford it.
plain or simple?
When it is being used to emphasize facts that other people may not like to hear, plain is usually used in the expression the plain fact/truth is that… Simple can be used in this way too, but it can also be used in a wider variety of structures and collocations (such as reason and matter): ▪ The problem was due to the simple fact that… ◊ The problem was due to the plain fact that… ◊ for the plain reason that… ◊ It's a plain matter of… Expressions with simple often suggest impatience with other people's behaviour.
stark • (rather formal) used for describing an unpleasant fact or difference that is very obvious: ▪ The stark truth is that there is not enough money left.
The simple/plain truth may be sth that some people do not want to hear, but it may be good for them to hear it anyway. The stark truth is sth particularly unpleasant and has no good side to it at all.
bare • [only before noun] the most basic or simple, with nothing extra: ▪ She gave me only the bare facts of the case.
unequivocal • (formal) expressing your opinion or intention very clearly and firmly: ▪ The reply was an unequivocal ‘no’.
the plain/simple/stark/bare/unequivocal truth
a(n) plain/simple/stark/bare/unequivocal fact/statement
a(n) plain/simple/unequivocal answer
Example Bank:
• I found the work fairly simple.
• Is all this technology making our lives simpler?
• It is a brilliantly simple idea.
• The engine design is elegantly simple.
• The golden rule when creating your design is: keep it simple.
• The logic of the plan was devastatingly simple.
• Their approach is refreshingly simple and direct.
• This seemingly simple task ended up taking hours.
• When creating your design, keep it simple.
• a deceptively simple technique
• Give the necessary information but keep it simple.
• I had to do it for the simple reason that I couldn't trust anyone else.
• I used a very simple method to obtain the answer.
• In some cases his argument is based on simple ignorance.
• It's a simple matter of giving them enough to eat.
• It's quite a simple machine.
• The best gowns are simple and elegant.
• The poem describes simple young soldiers in the Civil War.
• The simple truth is that we just can't afford it.
• There is nothing simple about this movie, and nothing simple about the man who made it.
• These proposals are no more than simple common sense.
• They were simple country people.
• This machine is simple to use.
• We lost because we played badly. It's as simple as that.

• a simple sentence

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective (EASY)

A2 easy to understand or do; not difficult:

The instructions were written in simple English.

It 's simple to find our house.

I want an explanation, but keep/make it simple.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (IMPORTANT)

B2 used to describe the one important fact, truth, etc.:

We didn't go swimming for the simple reason that the water was too cold.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective (PLAIN)

B1 without decoration; plain:

I like simple food better than fancy dishes.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (ONE PART)

B1 having or made of only one or a few parts:

A hammer is a simple tool.

Simple forms of life have only one cell.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective usually approving (NATURAL)

ordinary; traditional or natural rather than modern and complicated:

He was just a simple fisherman.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective (FOOLISH)

describes a person who does not have a normal level of intelligence:

He's a bit simple, I'm afraid.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

simple

[sɪ̱mp(ə)l]
♦♦
simpler, simplest
1) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as simple, you mean that it is not complicated, and is therefore easy to understand.
  ...simple pictures and diagrams.
  ...pages of simple advice on filling in your tax form...
  Buddhist ethics are simple but its practices are very complex to a western mind.
  Syn:
  uncomplicated, straightforward
  Ant:
  complicated
  Derived words:
  simply ADV-GRADED ADV with v When applying for a visa extension state simply and clearly the reasons why you need an extension.
2) ADJ-GRADED If you describe people or things as simple, you mean that they have all the basic or necessary things they require, but nothing extra.
  The Holy Family Church was closed and the parish now celebrates mass in this simple side chapel...
  He ate a simple dinner of rice and beans.
  ...the simple pleasures of childhood...
  He lives a very simple life for a man who has become incredibly rich...
  Nothing is simpler than a cool white shirt.
  Syn:
  basic
  Derived words:
  simply ADV-GRADED ADV after v The living room is furnished simply with white wicker furniture and blue-and-white fabrics... He dressed simply and led a quiet family life.
3) ADJ-GRADED If a problem is simple or if its solution is simple, the problem can be solved easily.
  Some puzzles look difficult but once the solution is known are actually quite simple...
  The answer is simple...
  I cut my purchases dramatically by the simple expedient of destroying my credit cards.
4) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ to-inf A simple task is easy to do.
  The job itself had been simple enough...
  The simplest way to install a shower is to fit one over the bath.
  Syn:
  easy
  Derived words:
  simply ADV-GRADED ADV with v Simply dial the number and tell us your area.
5) ADJ-GRADED If you say that someone is simple, you mean that they are not very intelligent and have difficulty learning things.
  He was simple as a child.
6) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You use simple to emphasize that the thing you are referring to is the only important or relevant reason for something.
  His refusal to talk was simple stubbornness.
  Syn:
  plain
7) ADJ In grammar, simple tenses are ones which are formed without an auxiliary verb `be', for example `I dressed and went for a walk' and `This tastes nice'. Simple verb groups are used especially to refer to completed actions, regular actions, and situations. Compare continuous.
8) ADJ In English grammar, a simple sentence consists of one main clause. Compare compound, complex.
9) → See also simply

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

simple

sim·ple /ˈsɪmpəl/ adj sim·pler; -plest [or more ~; most ~]
1 : not hard to understand or do
• a simple task
• The solution to the problem was relatively simple.
• The answer is really quite simple.
• a simple [=straightforward] explanation
• a simple recipe
• There are three simple steps/rules to follow.
• The camera is simple to use.
• The directions seem simple enough. [=seem fairly simple]
• Just press the button. It is as simple as that. = Just press the button. It is that simple.
• Don't go into too much detail in the report. Just keep it simple and to the point.
2 : having few parts : not complex or fancy
• The engine has a simple [=basic] design.
• a simple machine
• The melody is very simple.
• She wore a simple [=plain, unadorned] black dress.
• We don't want to spend a lot of money on the party, so we're keeping it simple. [=we're not having an extravagant party]
3 always used before a noun : not special or unusual : ordinary
• simple folks
• I'm a simple farmer just trying to make a living.
• He enjoys the simple pleasure of spending time with his wife and kids after work.
• Relaxing on the beach and watching the sunset is one of life's simple pleasures.
4 always used before a noun : complete and total - used for emphasis
• I watch what I eat, but the simple truth is that I can't resist chocolate.
• The simple fact is that he did not study for the exam.
• I don't want to go for the simple reason that [=because] I'm very tired.
5 grammar of a sentence : having only one main clause and no additional clauses
• “Last summer was unusually hot” is a simple sentence.
6 old-fashioned : not very intelligent
• a mentally simple man
• She looked at me as if I were simple.
pure and simple
- see pure
the simple life
✦If you live the simple life, you do not own many things or use many modern machines and you usually live in the countryside.
• He lives in a small cabin and enjoys the simple life.