- simple
- sim|pleW1S1 [ˈsımpəl] adj comparative simpler superlative simplest▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(easy)¦2¦(plain)¦3¦(only)¦4¦(not having many parts)¦5¦(ordinary)¦6¦(grammar)¦7 the simple life8¦(stupid)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: 'plain, uncomplicated', from Latin simplus, from sim- 'one' + -plus 'multiplied by']1.) ¦(EASY)¦not difficult or complicated to do or understand▪ a simple but effective solution to the problem▪ There is no simple answer to this question.▪ I'm sure there's a perfectly simple explanation.simple to use/make/operate etc▪ Modern cameras are very simple to use.relatively/fairly/quite etc simple▪ There are relatively simple exercises to build strength.▪ We want to keep the costumes as simple as possible.▪ We can't pay people any more money until the company is more profitable. I'm afraid it's as simple as that .2.) ¦(PLAIN)¦made in a plain style, without a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added▪ She dressed with simple elegance.▪ simple but delicious food▪ a building constructed in a simple, classic style3.) ¦(ONLY)¦ [usually before noun]used to emphasize that only one thing is involved▪ Completing the race is not just a simple matter of physical fitness.▪ The simple fact is , he's not very good at his job.▪ Their motive was greed, pure and simple .4.) ¦(NOT HAVING MANY PARTS)¦made or built of only a few parts, and not having a complicated structure▪ It's a very simple machine.▪ They evolved from simple life forms that existed millions of years ago.5.) ¦(ORDINARY)¦honest and ordinary and not special in any way▪ Joe was just a simple farmer.6.) ¦(GRAMMAR)¦technical simple tenses are not formed with an ↑auxiliary such as 'have' or 'be'7.) the simple lifelife without too many possessions or modern machines, usually in the countryside8.) ¦(STUPID)¦ [not before noun]someone who is simple is not very intelligent▪ I'm afraid Luke's a bit simple.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
