What does “simply” mean?
- 1
adverbin a way that is easy to understand
Can you explain it more simply?
- 2
adverbonly or just
I simply forgot to call.
- 3
adverbused to make a statement stronger
The view was simply amazing.
Simply at a glance
- Part of speech
- adverb
- CEFR level
- B1 (intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈsɪmpli/ · SIM-plee
How to use “simply” correctly
Spell it “simply”, not “simplely”.
Common phrases with “simply”
- simply put
- quite simply
- simply because
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- simple
- simplify
“simply” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- however adverbB1used to add a statement that contrasts with what was just said
- particularly adverbB1more than usual or more than others
- rather adverbB1used in “would rather” to say what you prefer
- actually adverbA2used to say what is really true, often when it is surprising
- else adverbA2in addition to or different from the person, thing or place already mentioned
- especially adverbA2more than usual or more than others; in particular
- even adverbA2used to show that something is surprising or more than expected
- exactly adverbA2completely correct, with no difference at all