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

The main restaurant, simply called the Dining Room, received a lot of attention during the renovation. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

There is no compelling plotline to give the movie momentum, and there are slack moments when the set pieces simply don’t work. — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Put simply, Chinese EVs are just better than a lot of the competition, says Howard Yu, a professor of management and innovation at IMD Business School and codirector of the Future Readiness program, which evaluates global car manufacturers. — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026

This thing simply wanted to go high and go far (relatively of course). — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 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