simply
- 1Merely; only, used to limit something to nothing more than what is stated.
The note simply said she had gone home for the weekend.
They simply asked for a few more days to finish the work.
UsageUsually before the main verb or after be: they simply asked, it was simply a mistake. Just often works the same way.
- 2In a simple, plain, or straightforward way, without decoration, cleverness, or complication.
The cabin was simply decorated, with bare wooden walls and no curtains.
He laid out the rules simply, so the youngest players could follow.
UsageUsually after the verb (explain it simply) or before a participle (simply furnished); before a verb (he simply explained) it usually means "only."
- 3Absolutely; positively, used to add emphasis to a statement.
The view from the summit was simply breathtaking.
Her performance was simply the best of the entire evening.
UsageOften with strong adjectives (simply breathtaking, simply awful) and before the best, where very cannot go.
Similarabsolutely, completely, positively, truly, quite
Note
An intensifier that works on judgments of quality: simply wonderful, simply beautiful, as in Al Green's 1972 song title "Simply Beautiful". It strengthens criticism as readily as praise (simply awful, simply impossible), adding conviction rather than measured degree.
Less common meaning
- 4Foolishly; in a way that shows little sense or understanding.
Practice
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Origin
Formed as simple + -ly, it appears in Middle English as symplely or symply; haplology cut the awkward *-lely down to plain -ly.