simply

adverb

sim·​ply ˈsim-plē 

 for sense 1 also  -pə-lē

1

a

: without ambiguity : clearly

b

: without embellishment : plainly

c

: directly, candidly

2

a

: solely, merely

eats simply to keep alive

simply cleaned it up and went to bed

—Garrison Keillor

b

: really, literally

the concert was simply marvelous

—often used as an intensive

simply crawling with geniuses

—F. Scott Fitzgerald

Synonyms

• alone
• exclusively
• just
• only
• purely
• solely

Examples of simply in a Sentence

Simply add water to the mix and stir.

Simply click on the computer icon and follow the directions.

If he continues to bother you, simply ignore him.

You can order new checks simply by calling or going online.

It is simply a matter of time before something goes wrong.

The instructions are simply written.

He lived simply on the farm.

The diner is called simply “Joe's.”

“Sorry, I can't help you,” he said simply.

The problem, put simply, is money.

Recent Examples on the Web

Higgins lined up on the opposite side of Chase and simply ran a fade route. —Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

However, simply selling underperforming investments solely because their value decreases isn’t always the best course of action. —Fred Hubler, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Arts District Houston, located in the city's First and Sixth wards, is filled with private studios, galleries, and public art spaces and murals—group tours can be arranged, or simply spend a day exploring with your camera. —Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024

The team wondered whether human thinking speed could be hampered by our hardware—in other words, is the body simply too slow to respond to our train of thought? —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing simply

• simply connected
• simply ordered

Kids Definition

simply

adverb

sim·​ply ˈsim-plē 

1

a

: in a clear manner

stated the directions simply

b

: in a plain manner

simply dressed

c

: in a direct manner : candidly

told the story as simply as a child would

2

a

: for nothing more than

eats simply to keep alive

b

: without any question : truly

simply marvelous