Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

the simple life

noun

Definition of the simple life

—used to refer to a manner of living in which a person does not own many things or use many modern machines and usually lives in the countryside
  • He lives in a small cabin and enjoys the simple life.

Word by Word Definitions

simple play

  1. : free from guile : innocent

  2. : free from vanity : modest

  3. : free from ostentation or display

  1. : a person of humble birth : commoner

  2. : a rude or credulous person : ignoramus

  3. : a mentally retarded person

See the full definition of simple
life play

  1. : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body

  2. : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings

  3. : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism (see metabolism 1), growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction

  1. : of or relating to animate being

  2. : lifelong

  3. : using a living model

See the full definition of life

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up the simple life? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games