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

• alone
• exclusively
• just
• only
• purely
• solely

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

Omnivore surely required months of careful planning, scripting and editing to execute, yet the series as a whole has the feel of a curious traveler simply going where the story takes them. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024

Instead, all those tears are simply there to make up for an absent emotional connection to these characters — and to ruin any chance the series has of being big, schlocky fun. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 July 2024

The finale was originally titled Assassination Run, but is now simply Season Four Finale. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 July 2024

The proposal threads this needle by building in the annual hike of 5%; going beyond that wouldn’t be prohibited, but would simply jeopardize tax breaks. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing simply

• simply connected
• simply ordered

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