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

• only
• just
• purely
• solely
• exclusively

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

The consequence on Saturday was simply stress testing baseball’s best bullpen and dropping the Padres a game behind the Dodgers in the NL West. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

Or, for that matter, does Jimmy Butler turn into Jimmy Butler and simply take the night off? —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

Trump’s move for FBI agents and the National Guard will increase arrest rates, and simply the threat of arrest will reduce the crime rate. —John R. Lott Jr, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

And in many states, there are simply too many voters from the opposing party to completely eliminate their representation in Congress, no matter how ruthlessly the lines are drawn. —Elena Shao, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing simply

• simply connected
• simply ordered

Rhymes for simply

• limply

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