Main Entry: ¹sim·ple

Pronunciation: \ˈsim-pəl\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): sim·pler \-p(ə-)lər\; sim·plest \-p(ə-)ləst\

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin simplus, alteration of Latin simplic-, simplex single, having one ingredient, plain, from sem-, sim- one + -plic-, -plex -fold — more at same, -fold

Date: 13th century

1 : free from guile : innocent
2 a : free from vanity : modest b : free from ostentation or display <a simple outfit>
3 : of humble origin or modest position <a simple farmer>
4 a : lacking in knowledge or expertise <a simple amateur of the arts> b (1) : stupid (2) : mentally retarded c : not socially or culturally sophisticated : naive; also : credulous
5 a : sheer, unmixed <simple honesty> b : free of secondary complications <a simple vitamin deficiency> c (1) : having only one main clause and no subordinate clauses <a simple sentence> (2) of a subject or predicate : having no modifiers, complements, or objects d : constituting a basic element : fundamental e : not made up of many like units <a simple eye>
6 : free from elaboration or figuration <simple harmony>
7 a (1) : not subdivided into branches or leaflets <a simple stem> <a simple leaf> (2) : consisting of a single carpel (3) : developing from a single ovary <a simple fruit> b : controlled by a single gene <simple inherited characters>
8 : not limited or restricted : unconditional <a simple obligation>
9 : readily understood or performed <simple directions> <the adjustment was simple to make>
10 of a statistical hypothesis : specifying exact values for one or more statistical parameters — compare composite 3

— sim·ple·ness \-pəl-nəs\ noun

synonyms simple, foolish, silly, fatuous, asinine mean actually or apparently deficient in intelligence. simple implies a degree of intelligence inadequate to cope with anything complex or involving mental effort <considered people simple who had trouble with computers>. foolish implies the character of being or seeming unable to use judgment, discretion, or good sense <foolish stunts>. silly suggests failure to act as a rational being especially by ridiculous behavior <the silly antics of revelers>. fatuous implies foolishness, inanity, and disregard of reality <fatuous conspiracy theories>. asinine suggests utter and contemptible failure to use normal rationality or perception <an asinine plot>.

synonyms see in addition easy