Simply vs. Simple

Simply vs. Simple — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Simply and Simple

Simplyadverb

(manner) In a simple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; alone.

Simpleadjective

Uncomplicated; taken by itself, with nothing added.

Simplyadverb

(manner) Plainly; without art or subtlety

Simpleadjective

Without ornamentation; plain.

Simplyadverb

(manner) Weakly; foolishly; stupidly.

Simpleadjective

Free from duplicity; guileless, innocent, straightforward.

ADVERTISEMENT

Simplyadverb

(focus) Merely; solely.

I was simply asking a question.

Simpleadjective

Undistinguished in social condition; of no special rank.

Simplyadverb

(degree) absolutely, positively.

That was a simply wonderful dessert.

Simpleadjective

Trivial; insignificant.

Simplyadverb

(speech act) Frankly.

Simply, he just fired you.

Simpleadjective

Feeble-minded; foolish.

ADVERTISEMENT

Simplyadverb

and nothing more;

I was merely askingit is simply a matter of timejust a scratchhe was only a childhopes that last but a moment

Simpleadjective

Structurally uncomplicated.

Simplyadverb

absolutely; altogether; really;

we are simply broke

Simpleadjective

(chemistry) Consisting of one single substance; uncompounded.

Simplyadverb

in a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment;

she was dressed plainlythey lived very simply

Simpleadjective

(mathematics) Of a group: having no normal subgroup.

Simplyadverb

absolutely;

I just can't take it anymorehe was just grand as Romeoit's simply beautiful!

Simpleadjective

(botany) Not compound, but possibly lobed.

Simpleadjective

Using steam only once in its cylinders, in contrast to a compound engine, where steam is used more than once in high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders.

Simpleadjective

(zoology) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; not compound.

a simple ascidian

Simpleadjective

(mineralogy) Homogenous.

Simpleadjective

(obsolete) Mere; not other than; being only.

Simplenoun

(medicine) A herbal preparation made from one plant, as opposed to something made from more than one plant.

Simplenoun

A physician.

Simplenoun

(logic) A simple or atomic proposition.

Simplenoun

(obsolete) Something not mixed or compounded.

Simplenoun

(weaving) A drawloom.

Simplenoun

(weaving) Part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom.

Simplenoun

(Roman Catholic) A feast which is not a double or a semidouble.

Simpleverb

To gather simples, i.e., medicinal herbs.

Simplenoun

any herbaceous plant having medicinal properties

Simplenoun

a person lacking intelligence or common sense

Simpleadjective

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved;

a simple problemsimple mechanismsa simple designa simple substance

Simpleadjective

easy and not involved or complicated;

an elementary problem in statisticselementary, my dear Watsona simple gamefound an uncomplicated solution to the problem

Simpleadjective

apart from anything else; without additions or modifications;

only the bare factsshocked by the mere ideathe simple passage of time was enoughthe simple truth

Simpleadjective

exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity;

childlike trustdewy-eyed innocencesimple courtesy

Simpleadjective

lacking mental capacity and devoid of subtlety

Simpleadjective

(botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions

Simpleadjective

not elaborate in style; unornamented;

a simple country schoolhouseher black dress--simple to austerity