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

That, from a financial perspective, provides an earnings floor that simply doesn’t exist in football/soccer. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

The program has been grossly abused by big consulting firms and used by tech companies and others to simply cut costs, rather than bring in top talent. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025

From children on the playground to adults simply trying to keep fit, there’s something understandable about lacing up your shoes and seeing how far your legs can take you. —Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

But more simply, some days, the healthiest regiment for my little moon of a bald head is my own loving gaze in the mirror. —Essence, 24 Sep. 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