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 of simply

• 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

There’s time spent with the media every day in the early portion of the week, more cameras and lights than can be believed and demands on players’ time that simply doesn’t exist for an October game in the middle of the season. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

It’s led to calls for changes in the voting system, but Haley urged Belichick, Kraft and anybody else to simply be patient. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Tied to game day at the University of Georgia, gator bites are simply chicken nuggets that are set out on the tailgate spread. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026

Rather than obsess over specific numbers or prepare their children for one scenario, Preble encouraged parents to simply open a dialogue. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2026

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