simple

Universal Words adjective (simpler, simplest) HELPNOTE You can also use more simple and most simple. easy 1 not complicated; easy to understand or do: a simple method / solution / task * The answer is really quite simple. * This machine is very simple to use. * (especially spoken) We lost because we played badly. It's as simple as that. * Give the necessary information but keep it simple. basic / plain 2 basic or plain without anything extra or unnecessary: simple but elegant clothes * We had a simple meal of soup and bread. * The accommodation is simple but spacious. * simple pleasures, like reading and walking OPPFANCY for emphasis 3 used before a noun to emphasize that it is exactly that and nothing else: Nobody wanted to believe the simple truth. * It was a matter of simple survival. * It's nothing to worry about-just a simple headache. * I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn't trust anyone else. with few parts 4 [usuallybeforenoun] consisting of only a few parts; not complicated in structure: simple forms of life, for example amoebas * a simple design / machine / plan * (grammar) a simple sentence (= one with only one verb) ordinary 5 [onlybeforenoun] (of a person) ordinary; not special: I'm a simple country girl. not intelligent 6 [notusuallybeforenoun] (of a person) not very intelligent; not mentally normal: He's not mad-just a bit simple. grammar 7 used to describe the present or past tense of a verb that is formed without using an AUXILIARY verb, as in She loves him or He arrived late.: the simple present / past tense seealsoSIMPLY IDIOMS see PURE