simplify

1 of 2

verb

sim·​pli·​fy ˈsim-plə-ˌfī 

simplified; simplifying

transitive verb

: to make simple or simpler: such as

a

: to reduce to basic essentials

b

: to diminish in scope or complexity : streamline

was urged to simplify management procedures

c

: to make more intelligible : clarify

simplification

ˌsim-plə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

simplifier

ˈsim-plə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

simplifier

2 of 2

noun

sim·​pli·​fi·​er ˈsimpləˌfī(ə)r 

-īə

plural -s

: one that simplifies

Synonyms of simplify

Verb

• streamline

Examples of simplify in a Sentence

Verb

Microwave ovens have simplified cooking.

The new software should simplify the process.

The forms have been simplified.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The company says the approach could simplify construction while using the surrounding water column to help maintain operating pressure and cooling. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

Teams still spend time reconciling data across systems, validating outputs manually, coordinating across silos and reworking processes that AI was supposed to simplify. — Eglae Recchia, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

How to make an iPhone a 'dumb phone' To simplify an iPhone, users should engage Assistive Access, an iOS feature intended for users with cognitive disabilities. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 7 July 2026

While the focus for now remains on small unmanned vehicles, the researchers hope to eventually simplify their findings enough to apply them to larger aircraft too. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French simplifier, from Medieval Latin simplificare, from simplus simple

First Known Use

Verb

1750, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for simplify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

simplify

verb

sim·​pli·​fy ˈsim-plə-ˌfī 

simplified; simplifying

: to make simple or simpler

simplification

ˌsim-plə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

simplifier

ˈsim-plə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun