simple

== English == === Etymology === Inherited from Middle English symple, from Old French simple, from Latin simplex (“simple”, literally “onefold”) (as opposed to duplex (“double”, literally “twofold”)), from semel (“the same”) + plicō (“to fold”). See same and fold. Compare single, singular, simultaneous, etc. Partially displaced native English onefold. === Pronunciation === enPR: sĭm′pəl (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈsɪm.pəl/, [ˈsɪm.pɫ̩] (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈsəm.pəl/, [ˈsɘm.pɫ̩] Rhymes: -ɪmpəl Hyphenation: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple (comparative simpler or more simple, superlative simplest or most simple) Uncomplicated; lacking complexity; taken by itself, with nothing added. Synonyms: onefold; see also Thesaurus:bare-bones Antonym: subtle Easy; not difficult. Synonyms: basic, trivial; see also Thesaurus:easy Antonyms: challenging, hard; see also Thesaurus:difficult Without ornamentation; plain. Synonyms: austere, plain; see also Thesaurus:unadorned Antonyms: flashy, tinselly; see also Thesaurus:gaudy Free from duplicity; guileless, innocent, straightforward. Synonyms: sincere, unaffected; see also Thesaurus:honest, Thesaurus:naive Antonyms: crafty, guileful; see also Thesaurus:wily Undistinguished in social condition; of no special rank. Synonyms: common, low-born, ordinary, vulgar Antonyms: eminent, gentle, notable, highborn, well-born (archaic) Trivial; insignificant. Synonyms: inconsequential; see also Thesaurus:insignificant Antonyms: significant; see also Thesaurus:important (now colloquial, euphemistic) Feeble-minded; foolish. Synonyms: dim-witted, unwise; see also Thesaurus:foolish, Thesaurus:stupid Antonyms: astute, quick-witted; see also Thesaurus:wise (heading, technical) Structurally uncomplicated. Synonyms: basic, plain, uncomplex, uncomplicated Antonyms: complex, compound, complicated (chemistry, pharmacology) Consisting of one single substance; uncompounded. (algebra, loosely, of an algebraic structure) Being non-trivial, and admitting no proper non-trivial quotients. (group theory, of a group) Being non-trivial, and having no proper non-trivial normal subgroups (equivalently, no proper non-trivial quotient groups). (module theory, of a module) Being non-trivial, and having no proper non-trivial submodules (equivalently, no proper non-trivial quotient modules). (ring theory, of a ring) Being non-zero, and having no proper non-zero two-sided ideals (equivalently, no proper non-trivial quotient rings). For commutative rings, this definition coincides with that of a field. (universal algebra, of an algebraic structure) Containing more than one element, and such that the only congruences on the structure are the diagonal relation (the equivalence relation a ≡ b ⟺ a = b {\displaystyle a\equiv b\iff a=b} ) and the universal relation (the equivalence relation such that a ≡ b {\displaystyle a\equiv b} for all a , b {\displaystyle a,b} ). Equivalently, containing more than one element and having no proper non-trivial quotient algebras. (category theory, of an object in a category with a terminal object) Being non-isomorphic to the terminal object, and such that its only quotient objects (up to isomorphism) are the terminal object and itself. (algebra, of a Lie algebra) Being non-abelian and having no proper non-zero ideals. (Note that this is non-equivalent to the usual algebra sense; in particular, the abelian Lie algebra of dimension 1 over any given field is non-trivial and has no proper non-zero ideals, but is by convention not considered simple.) (mathematics, real analysis, measure theory, of a real-valued function) Equal to a finite linear combination of indicator functions on measurable sets. (botany) Not compound, but possibly lobed. Using steam only once in its cylinders, in contrast to a compound engine, where steam is used more than once in high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders. (of a steam engine) (zoology) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; not compound. (mineralogy) Homogenous. (obsolete) Mere; not other than; being only. Synonyms: alone, mere, only, very; see also Thesaurus:mere ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === simple (plural simples) (pharmacology) A herbal preparation made from one plant, as opposed to something made from more than one plant. (obsolete, by extension) A physician. (logic) A simple or atomic proposition. (obsolete) Something not mixed or compounded. (weaving) A drawloom. (weaving) Part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom. (Roman Catholicism) A feast which is not a double or a semidouble. ==== Translations ==== === Verb === simple (third-person singular simple present simples, present participle simpling, simple past and past participle simpled) (transitive, intransitive, archaic) To gather simples, i.e. medicinal herbs. ==== Derived terms ==== === Anagrams === LEMSIP, impels == Asturian == === Etymology === Borrowed from Latin simplex. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsimple/ [ˈsĩm.ple] Rhymes: -imple Syllabification: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple (epicene, plural simples) simple (uncomplicated) Synonym: cenciellu == Catalan == === Etymology === Borrowed from Latin simplus. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): (Northern, Balearic, Central) [ˈsim.plə] IPA(key): (Valencia, Northwestern) [ˈsim.ple] === Adjective === simple m or f (masculine and feminine plural simples) simple (uncomplicated) Synonym: senzill single (not divided into parts) ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== === Further reading === “simple”, in Diccionari de la llengua catalana [Dictionary of the Catalan Language] (in Catalan), second edition, Institute of Catalan Studies [Catalan: Institut d'Estudis Catalans], April 2007 Alcover, Antoni Maria; Moll, Francesc de Borja (1963), “simple”, in Diccionari català-valencià-balear (in Catalan) “simple”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2026 == Central Bikol == === Etymology === Borrowed from Spanish simple. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsimple/ [ˈsim.pl̪e] Hyphenation: sim‧ple === Adjective === símple (intensified simplehon, Basahan spelling ᜐᜒᜋ᜔ᜉ᜔ᜎᜒ) simple, plain unadorned easy Synonyms: madali, pasil ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== == Chavacano == === Etymology === Inherited from Spanish simple (“simple”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsimple/, [ˈsĩm.ple] Hyphenation: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple simple == Esperanto == === Etymology === From simpla + -e. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsimple/ Rhymes: -imple Syllabification: sim‧ple === Adverb === simple simply === Further reading === “simple”, in Plena Ilustrita Vortaro de Esperanto [Complete Illustrated Dictionary of Esperanto], 2020, →ISBN “simple”, in Reta Vortaro [Online Dictionary] (in Esperanto), 1997-2026 == French == === Etymology === Inherited from Old French, borrowed from Latin simplex. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /sɛ̃pl/ === Adjective === simple (plural simples) single comptabilité en partie simple ― single-entry bookkeeping simple, straightforward, easy Antonyms: complexe, compliqué Near-synonym: facile simple comme bonjour ― easy as pie simple, plain, unsophisticated un homme simple ― a simple man (grammar) synthetic; non analytic Coordinate terms: composé, antérieur futur simple ― simple future passé simple ― past historic tense (literally, “simple past”) (grammar) Coordinate term: complexe phrase simple ― simple sentence (chemistry) simple, uncompounded Coordinate term: composé corps simple ― (please add an English translation of this usage example) one-way un aller simple ― a one-way ticket un billet simple ― a one-way ticket mere un simple soldat ― a mere soldier ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== simplet simplement simplicité simplifier ==== Descendants ==== Haitian Creole: senp → Romanian: simplu === Noun === simple m (plural simples) This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}. passer du simple au double ― to double passer du simple au triple ― to triple (baseball) single === Further reading === “simple”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 === Anagrams === emplis == Galician == === Etymology === Learned borrowing from Latin simplex. Displaced Old Galician-Portuguese simplez. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsimple/ [ˈs̺im.plɪ] Rhymes: -imple Hyphenation: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple m or f (plural simples) simple Synonym: sinxelo == German == === Pronunciation === === Adjective === simple inflection of simpel: strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular strong nominative/accusative plural weak nominative all-gender singular weak accusative feminine/neuter singular == Latin == === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈsɪm.pɫɛ] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈsim.ple] Hyphenation: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple vocative masculine singular of simplus == Middle English == === Adjective === simple alternative form of symple === Noun === simple alternative form of symple == Mirandese == === Etymology === (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈs̺ĩple/ [ˈs̺ĩ.plɨ] (Central) IPA(key): /ˈs̺ĩple/ [ˈs̺ɨ̃j̃.plɨ] (Sendinese) Rhymes: -ĩple Syllabification: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple m or f (masculine and feminine plural simples) simple ==== Derived terms ==== === References === Moisés, Pires (2004), “simple”, in Pequeno vocabulário Mirandês-Português [Small Mirandese-Portuguese Vocabulary], 2nd edition, Miranda do Douro: Câmara Municipal de Miranda do Douro, published 2019, →ISBN, page 478. == Norwegian Bokmål == === Adjective === simple definite singular of simpel plural of simpel == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Adjective === simple definite singular of simpel plural of simpel == Old French == === Alternative forms === sinple === Etymology === Borrowed from Latin simplus. === Adjective === simple m (oblique and nominative feminine singular simple) innocent mere; simple honest; without pretense peasant, pauper (attributive) ==== Descendants ==== == Romanian == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsim.ple/ Rhymes: -imple Hyphenation: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple feminine/neuter plural nominative/accusative of simplu == Spanish == === Etymology === Borrowed from Latin simplex. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈsimple/ [ˈsĩm.ple] Rhymes: -imple Syllabification: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple m or f (masculine and feminine plural simples) simple (uncomplicated) Synonym: sencillo Antonym: complejo (before the noun) mere, ordinary Synonym: mero Soy un simple pescador. ― I'm just a fisherman. simple, single (not divided into parts) Antonym: compuesto simple-minded, stupid insipid, flavorless Synonym: soso (grammar) simple ==== Usage notes ==== A way to think of the difference between simple and sencillo, which both mean "simple" in English, is that the antonym of simple is complejo (“complex”), whereas the antonym of sencillo is complicado (“complicated”). ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== Chavacano: simple → Central Bikol: simple → Tagalog: simple === Noun === simple m or f by sense (plural simples) simpleton, fool Synonym: bobo === Noun === simple m (plural simples) (pharmacology) simple ==== See also ==== más simple que el mecanismo de un botijo === Further reading === “simple”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025 == Swedish == === Adjective === simple definite natural masculine singular of simpel === Anagrams === simpel == Tagalog == === Etymology === Borrowed from Spanish simple, from Latin simplex. === Pronunciation === (Standard Tagalog) IPA(key): /ˈsimple/ [ˈsim.plɛ] Rhymes: -imple Syllabification: sim‧ple === Adjective === simple (Baybayin spelling ᜐᜒᜋ᜔ᜉ᜔ᜎᜒ) simple; easy to do Synonyms: payak, yano, liso common; ordinary Synonyms: karaniwan, pangkaraniwan easy to understand simple; plain Synonym: payak (grammar) simple Synonym: payak ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== === Further reading === “simple”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, 2018