simple
Other forms: simplest; simpler; simples
Simple refers to something that's easy and uncomplicated, without too many steps to follow.
Simple comes from the Latin word for single (simplus). Simple things are often solo, like a simple dress or directions with one step. A teacher might advise you to KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). What could be bad about a word for something easy? Well, it's not that simple. It can be an insult. If you call your little brother simple when he can't tie his shoes, you mean he isn't very smart. Rude!
-
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved“a simple problem”“simple mechanisms”“a simple design”“a simple substance”synonyms:easyposing no difficulty; requiring little effortplainnot elaborate or elaborated; simpleunsubdivided(botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisionssimplexhaving only one part or elementsimplisticcharacterized by extreme and often misleading simplicityunanalyzable, undecomposablerepresenting the furthest possible extent of analysis or division into partsantonyms:complexcomplicated in structure; consisting of interconnected partsdifficult, hardnot easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endurecompoundcomposed of more than one partByzantine, convoluted, involved, knotty, tangled, tortuoushighly complex or intricate and occasionally deviouscomplicateddifficult to analyze or understandcompositeconsisting of separate interconnected partscompoundconsisting of two or more substances or ingredients or elements or partsdaedalcomplex and ingenious in design or functionGordianextremely intricate; usually in phrase `Gordian knot'interlacing, interlinking, interlocking, interwovenlinked or locked closely together as by dovetailingintricatehaving many complexly arranged elements; elaboratemultifactorialinvolving or depending on several factors or causes (especially pertaining to a condition or disease resulting from the interaction of many genes)multiplexhaving many parts or aspectsthickeningbecoming more intricate or complex
-
apart from anything else; without additions or modifications
-
easy and not involved or complicated“a simple game”synonyms: elementary, uncomplicated, unproblematiceasyposing no difficulty; requiring little effort
-
unornamented“a simple country schoolhouse”“her black dress--simple to austerity”synonyms:plainnot elaborate or elaborated; simple
-
exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity
-
lacking mental capacity and subtletysynonyms: dim-witted, simple-minded
-
(botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisionssynonyms: unsubdividedacuminate(of a leaf shape) narrowing to a slender pointapiculate(of a leaf shape) having a short sharply pointed tipcaudate(of a leaf shape) tapering gradually into a long taillike tipcuneate, wedge-shaped(of a leaf shape) narrowly triangular, wider at the apex and tapering toward the basedeltoidtriangular or suggesting a capital delta, with a point at the apexelliptic(of a leaf shape) in the form of an ellipsehastate, spearhead-shaped(of a leaf shape) like a spear point, with flaring pointed lobes at the baselancelike, lanceolate(of a leaf shape) shaped like a lance head; narrow and tapering to a pointed apexlyrate(of a leaf shape) having curvature suggestive of a lyreneedledof trees whose leaves are aceratetwo-needled(of conifers) having two needlesthree-needled(of conifers) having three needlesfour-needled(of conifers) having four needlesfive-needled(of conifers) having five needlesobtuse(of a leaf shape) rounded at the apexoblanceolate(of a leaf shape) having a broad rounded apex and a tapering baseoblong(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sidesobovate(of a leaf shape) egg-shaped with the narrower end at the baseovateof a leaf shape; egg-shaped with the broader end at the basepeltate, shield-shaped(of a leaf shape) round, with the stem attached near the center of the lower surface rather than the margin (as a nasturtium leaf for example)perfoliate(of a leaf) having the base united around (and apparently pierced by) the stemarrow-shaped, sagittate, sagittiform(of a leaf shape) like an arrow head without flaring base lobesunlobedwithout lobessmoothof the margin of a leaf shape; not broken up into teethantonyms:compoundcomposed of more than one partbinategrowing in two parts or in pairsbipartitedivided into two portions almost to the basebipinnateof a leaf shape; having doubly pinnate leaflets (as ferns)bipinnatifidpinnatifid with the segments also pinnatifidconjugate(of a pinnate leaflet) having only one pair of leafletsdecompoundof a compound leaf; consisting of divisions that are themselves compoundabruptly-pinnate, even-pinnate, paripinnate(of a leaf shape) pinnate with a pair of leaflets at the apexincisedsharply and deeply indentedpalmatifidof a leaf shape; palmately cleft rather than lobedpartedhaving a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobespedateof a leaf shape; having radiating lobes, each deeply cleft or dividedpinnatifid(of a leaf shape) cleft nearly to the midrib in broad divisions not separated into distinct leafletspinnatisect(of a leaf shape) cleft nearly to the midrib in narrow divisions not separated into distinct leafletsquinquefoliate(of a leaf shape) having five leafletsradiatehaving rays or ray-like parts as in the flower heads of daisiesternate(of a leaf shape) consisting of three leaflets or sectionstripinnatifid(of a leaf shape) bipinnatifid with segments pinnatifidcomplexcomplicated in structure; consisting of interconnected partssmoothof the margin of a leaf shape; not broken up into teethroughof the margin of a leaf shape; having the edge cut or fringed or scalloped
-
a person lacking intelligence or common sensesynonyms: simpletontypes:airheada flighty scatterbrained simpletondingbata silly empty-headed personsheepa timid defenseless simpleton who is readily preyed uponspace cadetsomeone who seems unable to respond appropriately to reality (as if under the influence of some narcotic drug)squaresomeone who doesn't understand what is going ondolt, dullard, pillock, poor fish, pudden-head, pudding head, stupe, stupid, stupid persona person who is not very brightberka stupid person who is easy to take advantage ofblockhead, bonehead, dunce, dunderhead, hammerhead, knucklehead, loggerhead, lunkhead, muttonhead, numskulla stupid person; these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligenceklutz(Yiddish) a clumsy doltmorosopha learned foolputz(Yiddish) a fool; an idiotwallya silly and inept person; someone who is regarded as stupid
-
any herbaceous plant having medicinal propertiestype of:herb, herbaceous planta plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
simple / simplistic
Vocabulary lists containing simple
Context is king — that’s the lesson you need to internalize as you begin preparing for the vocabulary questions on the SAT. We have identified this pool of 200 words that cut across the disciplines and lend themselves well to context-dependent interpretation. As you learn this list on Vocabulary.com, you will have to rely on context clues in order to determine each word’s meaning in particular sentences. This is the same type of thinking you will need to develop in order to succeed on the SAT! Following our Roadmap to the SAT? Head back to see what else you should be learning this week.
Context is king -- that’s the lesson you need to internalize as you begin preparing for the vocabulary questions on the new SAT. We have identified this pool of 200 words that cut across the disciplines and lend themselves well to context-dependent interpretation. As you learn this list on Vocabulary.com, you will have to rely on context clues in order to determine each word’s meaning in particular sentences. This is the same type of thinking you will need to develop in order to succeed on the new SAT! Here are all of our word lists to help you prepare for the new SAT (debuting March of 2016): The Language of the Test, Multiple-Meaning Words, and Words to Capture Tone.
The mathematician-philosopher Alfred North Whitehead famously said "Seek simplicity, and distrust it." Simply put, this list provides the vocabulary to describe anything from an easy job to an elegantly minimal interior design.