simplicity

noun

sim·​plic·​i·​ty sim-ˈpli-sə-tē How to pronounce simplicity (audio)
-ˈpli-stē
plural simplicities
1
: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded
2
a
: lack of subtlety or penetration : innocence, naiveté
3
: freedom from pretense or guile : candor
4
a
: directness of expression : clarity
b
: restraint in ornamentation : austerity

Examples of simplicity in a Sentence

People like the simplicity of the instructions. the simplicity of the music
Recent Examples on the Web The cuisine keeps an unfussy Californian simplicity, featuring solid technique and thoughtful flavor combinations that allow quality seasonal ingredients to shine. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Today, the home has been transformed into a six-bedroom guesthouse with a knack for immersing its guests in the blissful serenity and simplicity of the countryside. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2024 With childlike innocence and almost touching simplicity, Randy (Ethan Suplee) follows Earl (Jason Lee) on his quest for karmic redemption like a loyal bulldog. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 As a princess, the costume designer had some restraints with themes of modesty and simplicity. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 But there’s a certain elegant simplicity to their world. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 His Millennium Camera, crafted with simplicity and durability in mind, is intended to capture a long-exposure image of a Tucson landscape over the next 1,000 years. The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 And the simplicity of battery electric drive trains reduces maintenance costs as well. Michael Barnard, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 By now the material feels innately theatrical: Finance is all about the tension between simplicity and complexity, the material and the abstract. Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'simplicity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English simplicite, from Anglo-French simplicité, from Latin simplicitat-, simplicitas, from simplic-, simplex

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of simplicity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near simplicity

Cite this Entry

“Simplicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simplicity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

simplicity

noun
sim·​plic·​i·​ty sim-ˈplis-ət-ē How to pronounce simplicity (audio)
plural simplicities
1
: the quality or state of being simple
2
3
a
: clearness of expression
b
: the quality or state of being plain
4

More from Merriam-Webster on simplicity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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