simple
/ˈsɪm.pəl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Easy to understand or do, with few parts or steps. It is not complicated or difficult.
- This is a simple question.
- We need a simple plan.
- The answer is simple.
- 2.
Plain, basic, or not decorated. It may look modest or have little detail.
- She wore a simple dress.
- The room has a simple design.
- He prefers simple food.
- 3.
Used to show that someone is not clever or not experienced enough to understand something fully. This use is often informal or rude.
- Don't call him simple.
- That was a simple mistake.
- She felt simple after the joke.
Adinary Nuance
Simple is close to easy, plain, and basic, but it is not the same as all three. Use easy for something needing little effort, plain for something with little decoration, and basic for something very common or fundamental. Simple often suggests a clean, clear, or uncluttered quality.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đơn giản
- Spanish
- simple
- Chinese
- 简单
- Japanese
- 簡単な
- Korean
- 간단한
Etymology
Simple comes from Latin simplicem, meaning 'single' or 'plain'. It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
simple lifesimple solutionkeep it simplesimple and clean
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between simple and easy?
- Simple means not complicated. Easy means not hard to do. A task can be simple but still not easy.
- Is simple formal or informal?
- It is common in both spoken and written English. It is neutral, so you can use it in IELTS and academic writing.
- Can I use simple for clothes and design?
- Yes. It often means plain, clean, and not decorated.
- Is simple a positive word?
- Usually, yes. It suggests clarity and lack of complication, but it can sound rude in the insult sense.