What does simply mean?

Definitions for simply
ˈsɪm plisim·p·ly

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word simply.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. merely, simply, just, only, butadverb

    and nothing more

    "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment"

  2. just, simplyadverb

    absolutely

    "I just can't take it anymore"; "he was just grand as Romeo"; "it's simply beautiful!"

  3. simplyadverb

    absolutely; altogether; really

    "we are simply broke"

  4. plainly, simplyadverb

    in a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment

    "she was dressed plainly"; "they lived very simply"

Wiktionary

  1. simplyadverb

    In a simple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; alone

  2. simplyadverb

    Plainly; without art or subtlety; clearly; obviously; unquestionably.

  3. simplyadverb

    merely; solely.

    I was simply asking a question.

  4. simplyadverb

    absolutely, positively.

    That was a simply wonderful dessert.

  5. simplyadverb

    Frankly.

    Simply, he just fired you.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Simplyadverb

    Etymology: from simple.

    Accomplishing great things by things deem’d weak;
    Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise,
    By simply meek. John Milton, Paradise Lost.

    This question about the changing of laws concerneth only such laws as are positive, and do make that now good or evil, by being commanded or forbidden, which otherwise of itself were not simply the one or the other. Richard Hooker.

    Under man, no creature in the world is capable of felicity and bliss; because their chiefest perfection consisteth in that which is best for them, but not in that which is simply best, as ours doth. Richard Hooker.

    I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft
    As captain shall; simply the thing I am
    Shall make me live. William Shakespeare.

    To say, or to do ought with memory and imitation, no purpose or respect should sooner move us, than simply the love of God and of mankind. John Milton.

ChatGPT

  1. simply

    Simply is an adverb that is used to express something in a straightforward or uncomplicated manner. It implies a lack of complexity, without any elaboration or unnecessary detail. It often denotes something that is easy to understand, do, or achieve. Simply can also imply sincerity or honesty in a statement or action.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Simplyadverb

    in a simple manner or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; along; merely; solely; barely

  2. Simplyadverb

    plainly; without art or subtlety

  3. Simplyadverb

    weakly; foolishly

Editors Contribution

  1. simplyadverb

    In a simple way or manner.

    The systems were defined and created simply to ensure optimum efficiency.


    Submitted by MaryC on April 8, 2020  

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'simply' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #533

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'simply' in Written Corpus Frequency: #823

  3. Adverbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'simply' in Adverbs Frequency: #74

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce simply?

How to say simply in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of simply in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of simply in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of simply in a Sentence

  1. Christina Pushaw:

    Governor DeSantis seeks the best advice and expertise from all over the world; his detractors simply accept the proclamations of the CDC as though they are infallible, however, the CDC’s guidance has flip-flopped many times, and U.S. public health authorities have lost the trust of the American people. In other countries, COVID-19 is not as politicized, so it makes sense that the EU is following a more data-driven, pro-child approach. Biden is leaning into his signature issue – forced-masking kindergarteners – to distract from the catastrophe in Afghanistan.

  2. Michael McCaul:

    The CCP is currently committing genocide against ethnic and religious minorities in their country and are brutally cracking down on peaceful protesters in Hong Kong who are simply crying out for freedom, until they stop murdering and imprisoning their own people, I don’t believe anyone in the world should look to them for moral advice.

  3. Kurt Vonnegut: Breakfast of Champions:

    1492. As children we were taught to memorize this year with pride and joy as the year people began living full and imaginative lives on the continent of North America. Actually, people had been living full and imaginative lives on the continent of North America for hundreds of years before that. 1492 was simply the year sea pirates began to rob, cheat, and kill them.

  4. Darren Soto:

    Hurricanes Irma and Maria have seen time and time again that colonial status is simply not working, look no further than the abysmal Hurricane Maria recovery efforts and the draconian PROMESA law to prove this point all too well.

  5. Emily Thornberry:

    That arrogant refusal to account to parliament and the public is simply unacceptable, it is high time that the National Audit Office (the public spending watchdog) and the Public Accounts Committee conducted full investigations into the costs and management of the Successor program, and forced the Ministry of Defense to start answering the legitimate questions they are being asked.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

simply#1#1305#10000

Translations for simply

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"simply." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/simply>.

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    without the natural or usual covering
    A abase
    B efface
    C emanate
    D denudate

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