FromMiddle Englishsymply,symplely; equivalent tosimple +-ly, with*-lely simplified to-ly byhaplology.
simply (comparativemoresimply,superlativemostsimply)
- (manner) In asimple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition;alone.
- Antonym:complexly
- (manner)Plainly; withoutart orsubtlety
- Synonyms:clearly,obviously,unquestionably
- (manner)Foolishly;stupidly.
1791,Charlotte Smith,Celestina, Broadview, published2004, page179: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 verysimply intended to marry at Alvestone[…].
- (focus)Merely;solely.
- Synonyms:just;see alsoThesaurus:merely
I wassimply asking a question.
2013 June 1, “Ideas coming down the track”, inThe Economist, volume407, number8838, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):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 notsimply slow them down enough for a moving platform to pull alongside?
2019 May 21, Dylan Curran, “Facial recognition will soon be everywhere. Are we prepared?”, inThe Guardian[1]:Rather than scanning a boarding pass or handing over a passport, yousimply stare into a camera and you’re verified.
- (degree)absolutely,positively.
- Synonyms:very;see alsoThesaurus:very
That was asimply wonderful dessert.
1972,Al Green, “Simply Beautiful”:What about the way you love me? / And the way you squeeze me? /Simply beautiful
- Frankly.
- Synonyms:honestly;see alsoThesaurus:actually
Simply, he just fired you.
simply
- Alternative form ofsymply(adverb)
