simply

adverb

sim·​ply ˈsim-plē How to pronounce simply (audio)
 for sense 1 also  -pə-lē
1
a
: without ambiguity : clearly
b
: without embellishment : plainly
2
a
: solely, merely
eats simply to keep alive
simply cleaned it up and went to bedGarrison Keillor
b
: really, literally
the concert was simply marvelous
often used as an intensive
simply crawling with geniusesF. Scott Fitzgerald

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 To reply to other posts, simply include ‘re:’ or ‘to’ the topic in the subject line of your post. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Has the government simply become too big to manage? Kathryn Anne Edwards, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Whatever the specific cause of the accident might turn out to be, an event like this simply must not happen on an airplane that leaves one of our factories. Chris Isidore, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Money sent to Iran from the U.S. on a plane around the time of the implementation of the plan was simply to pay the country for a previous contract. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 To support it through shopping at one of L.A.’s most bucolic markets, simply take to the hills any Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Plus, there’s no hole in the bath toy to collect mold and mildew; simply wipe with a damp cloth to keep your kiddo’s new friend clean. Maya Polton, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024 Israel has announced its intention to destroy the Palestinian people, in whole or in part, simply for being Palestinian. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 8 Mar. 2024 Should the dispute end in the Seaquarium vacating the 38-acre parcel, one likely scenario is that the Dolphin Company would simply pay to move its animals, including nearly 20 dolphins, to one or more of its existing parks. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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

Dictionary Entries Near simply

Cite this Entry

“Simply.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simply. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

simply

adverb
sim·​ply ˈsim-plē How to pronounce simply (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on simply

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