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. Killer Mike:

    I am duty-bound to be here to simply say that it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy, it is your duty to fortify your own house so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization.

  2. Phin Ziebell:

    There is going to be a prolonged lull in exports, simply because the stocks are not going to be there, and it could take two, three years at least to rebuild stocks.

  3. Scott Bolton:

    This is the closest any spacecraft has come to this mammoth moon in a generation, we are going to take our time before we draw any scientific conclusions, but until then we can simply marvel at this celestial wonder.

  4. Mike Pompeo:

    It is not possible that this decision, or my recommendation, rather, to the President, rather, was based on any effort to retaliate for any investigation that was going on, or is currently going on, because I simply don't know. I'm not briefed on it. I usually see these investigations in final draft form 24 hours, 48 hours, before the IG is prepared to release them.

  5. Phil Gunson:

    The simply dont believe that amnesty is a viable proposition, many of them believe its a trap.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

simply#1#1305#10000

Translations for simply

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"simply." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 16 Mar. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/simply>.

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