SIMPLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does simply mean? 

• SIMPLY (adverb)
  The adverb SIMPLY has 4 senses:

1. and nothing more

2. (used for emphasis) absolutely

3. absolutely; altogether; really

4. in a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment

  Familiarity information: SIMPLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SIMPLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

And nothing more

Synonyms:

but; just; merely; only; simply

Context example:

hopes that last but a moment

Pertainym:

simple (apart from anything else; without additions or modifications)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(used for emphasis) absolutely

Synonyms:

just; simply

Context example:

it's simply beautiful!

Domain usage:

intensifier; intensive (a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Absolutely; altogether; really

Context example:

we are simply broke

Sense 4

Meaning:

In a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment

Synonyms:

plainly; simply

Context example:

they lived very simply

 Context examples 

At that time, you’ll focus on your partner in love or business, but for now, simply think about what you want in life.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

"Night is coming on. You can't stop here. You can't! I tell you, you simply can't!"

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

She was not asleep, but she was simply too weak to make the effort.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Of our being very sociably and simply happy (always in a dream though); and of Jip's having wedding cake, and its not agreeing with him afterwards.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"I have always liked you as you were," said Dorothy simply.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

He simply wished, I should imagine, to refresh his memory upon that last occasion.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He’s simply the hinge that the whole team turns on.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Obesity is not simply a result of food intake alone.

(International Research Team Finds Correlation Between Genetics and Obesity Is Modified by Diet, U.S. Department of Agriculture)

"I didn't mean that," she said simply.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)