simplicity

noun

sim·​plic·​i·​ty sim-ˈpli-sə-tē 

-ˈpli-stē

plural simplicities

1

: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded

2

a

: lack of subtlety or penetration : innocence, naivete

b

: folly, silliness

3

: freedom from pretense or guile : candor

4

a

: directness of expression : clarity

b

: restraint in ornamentation : austerity

Synonyms of simplicity

• plainness
• unity
• uniformity

Examples of simplicity in a Sentence

People like the simplicity of the instructions.

the simplicity of the music

Recent Examples on the Web

In the movie, all the key players are kept in the same place for simplicity and tension. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 29 May 2026

Will its out-of-the-box simplicity—born from a culture that tolerates zero friction—be seen as a competitive edge, or a constraint? —Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Vile’s shaggy-dog spirituality reaches new heights of beautiful, boneheaded simplicity on his latest. —Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026

Captain Nick Suzuki spoke after an 8-3 loss in Game 6 against the Buffalo Sabres in the second round about how the special atmosphere in the building forces his young team into trying to do too much, getting away from the simplicity of their game that more often leads to success in the playoffs. —Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English simplicite, from Anglo-French simplicité, from Latin simplicitat-, simplicitas, from simplic-, simplex

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing simplicity

• for simplicity's sake
• for the sake of simplicity
• simplicity itself

Rhymes for simplicity

• basicity
• chronicity
• complicity
• cyclicity
• duplicity
• ethnicity
• facticity
• felicity
• helicity
• plasticity
• publicity
• rusticity

Kids Definition

simplicity

noun

sim·​plic·​i·​ty sim-ˈplis-ət-ē 

plural simplicities

1

: the quality or state of being simple

2

: honesty, straightforwardness

3

a

: clearness of expression

b

: the quality or state of being plain

4

: folly sense 1, silliness