Simply Meaning
/ˈsɪmpli/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
advIn a simple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; alone.
advPlainly; without art or subtlety
Sentence Examples
If you didn't know me that way then you simply didn't know me.
Education does not consist simply in learning a lot of facts.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She ____ explained the process in one sentence, without any extra words.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He didn't mean to be rude he was ____ tired after a long day at work.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English symply, symplely; equivalent to simple + -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
"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):
"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:
"What about the way you love me? / And the way you squeeze me? / Simply beautiful"
— 1972, Al Green, “Simply Beautiful”:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She ____ explained the process in one sentence, without any extra words.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He didn't mean to be rude he was ____ tired after a long day at work.