simply
advAU, CA, US, UK /ˈsɪmpli/ · NZ /ˈsəmpli/
Etymology From Middle English symply, symplely; equivalent to simple + -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.
1
Manner In a simple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; alone.
2
Manner Plainly; without art or subtlety
- ‘No,’ said Stephen simply.1930, Margaret Ayer Barnes, Years of Grace, Part II, Chapter IV, page 198:
3
Manner Foolishly; stupidly.
- Mrs. Thorold had told her sons that a young lady was visiting at the house, whose history she had given them in short hand, describing her as a dependent on the late Mrs. Willoughby, whom her son had very simply intended to marry at Alvestone […].1791, Charlotte Smith, Celestina, Broadview, published 2004, page 179:
4
Focus Merely; solely.
- I was simply asking a question.
- A “moving platform” scheme[…]is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails.[…]This set-up solves several problems […]. Stopping high-speed trains wastes energy and time, so why not simply slow them down enough for a moving platform to pull alongside?2013 June 1, “Ideas coming down the track”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):
1 more example
- Rather than scanning a boarding pass or handing over a passport, you simply stare into a camera and you’re verified.2019 May 21, Dylan Curran, “Facial recognition will soon be everywhere. Are we prepared?”, in The Guardian:
5
absolutely, positively.
- That was a simply wonderful dessert.
- This type of comportment simply won't be tolerated.
1 more example
- What about the way you love me? / And the way you squeeze me? / Simply beautiful1972, Al Green, “Simply Beautiful”:
6
Frankly.
- Simply, he just fired you.
- It was, quite simply, the best there was in stock.
- Derived terms
- nonsimply, purely and simply, simply connected
- Related terms
- single