Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
simple interest
simple machine
simple-minded
simple protein
simple sentence
Simple Simon
simple sugar
simple tense
simple time
simpleton
simplex
simplicity
simplify
simplism
simplistic
Simplon Pass
simply
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "simple" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

simple

sim·ple [ símp'l ]


adjective  (comparative sim·pler, superlative sim·plest)
Definition:
 
1. easy: able to be done or understood quickly, or with very little effort
a simple task

2. not elaborate: lacking decoration or embellishment and therefore plain in appearance
a simple black dress

3. not complex: made up of or having only one part or element
a simple organism

4. without complications: having no complications, luxuries, or embellishments
the simple life

5. straightforward: ordinary or straightforward
It's a simple case of the flu and I should be back to work in a couple of days.

6. offensive term: an offensive term meaning having an intellectual capacity that does not permit the performance of higher-level cognitive processes

7. naive: naive and lacking in depth and detail

8. humble: humble and unsophisticated
simple folk

9. guileless: direct, sincere, or lacking any form of deceitfulness

10. chemistry containing one compound only: consisting of a single chemical compound

11. biology not divided: not divided, either totally or partially, into separate segments
See also  compound1adj (sense 3)

a simple leaf



noun  (plural sim·ples)
Definition:
 
herbal medicine: an herbal medicine, or an herb that yields medicine ( archaic )

[Pre-12th century. Via French< Latin simplus]

sim·ple·ness noun

Word Usage

See simplistic.


Word Key: Synonyms

See easy.

Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft