simple
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++sim·ple /ˈsɪmpəl/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative simpler, superlative simplest) 1 easy 容易EASY not difficult or complicated to do or understand 简单的，简易的，容易的 a simple but effective solution to the problem 对这个问题简单而有效的解决办法 There is no simple answer to this question. 这个问题没有简单的答案。 I’m sure there’s a perfectly simple explanation. 我相信一定有一个很简单的解释。simple to use/make/operate etc Modern cameras are very simple to use. 现代照相机用起来非常简单。relatively/fairly/quite etc simple There are relatively simple exercises to build strength. 有比较简单的运动可以增强体能。 We want to keep the costumes as simple as possible. 我们想使服装尽量简单。 We can’t pay people any more money until the company is more profitable. I’m afraid it’s as simple as that. 只有公司赢利更多，我们才能支付更高的报酬。 恐怕就这么简单。► see thesaurus at easy2 plain 朴素SIMPLE/PLAIN made in a plain style, without a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added 简朴的，朴素的 She dressed with simple elegance. 她的穿着朴素而优雅。 simple but delicious food 简单美味的食物 a building constructed in a simple classic style 风格古朴典雅的建筑3 only 仅仅 [usually before noun]SIMPLE/NOT COMPLICATED used to emphasize that only one thing is involved 单纯的，纯粹的，完全的 Completing the race is not just a simple matter of physical fitness. 跑完比赛不仅仅是纯粹的体力问题。 The simple fact is, he’s not very good at his job. 事实就是这样，他不是非常擅长做自己的工作。 Their motive was greed, pure and simple. 他们的动机就是贪婪，别无其他。4 not having many parts 没有许多部分SIMPLE/NOT COMPLICATED made or built of only a few parts, and not having a complicated structure 结构简单的 It’s a very simple machine. 这是一台结构非常简单的机器。 They evolved from simple life forms that existed millions of years ago. 它们是从几百万年前就存在的简单的生命形式进化而来的。5 ordinary 普通的ORDINARY honest and ordinary and not special in any way 诚实的，朴实的，普通的 Joe was just a simple farmer. 乔只是一个普普通通的农民。6. grammar 语法 technical simple tenses are not formed with an auxiliary such as ‘have’ or ‘be’ 〔动词时态〕简单的7. the simple life SIMPLE/NOT COMPLICATEDlife without too many possessions or modern machines, usually in the countryside 简朴生活 〔常指乡村的生活〕8 stupid 愚蠢的 [not before noun]STUPID/NOT INTELLIGENT someone who is simple is not very intelligent 头脑简单的，笨的，智力低下的 I’m afraid Luke’s a bit simple. 我觉得卢克有点笨。n COLLOCATIONSadverbsvery/extremely/incredibly simpleI came up with a very simple answer to this problem.relatively/fairly/quite simpleThe rules are quite simple.deceptively simple (=seeming simple, but in fact complicated or difficult)It’s a deceptively simple idea, but it’s very difficult to put into practice.perfectly simpleWell? It’s a perfectly simple question.phrasessimple to use/make/operate etcThe machine is very simple to use.simple but effectiveAny child’s behaviour can be improved by this simple but effective technique.keep something simpleKeep your explanation as simple as possible.Examples from the Corpus
simple• The secret of successful dinner parties? Keep it simple.• I like this recipe because it's so simple.• Even the simple act of eating dinner together can make an evening special.• She wore a simple black dress.• a simple black dress• Billy was a very simple boy.• The meal was simple, but delicious.• To the simple call of justice, there are a number of possible objections.• She liked the building's simple, clean lines.• The above equation is the next simplest correction, using a non- unit power of the size attribute.• The chicken was served with a simple cream sauce.• Remember when packing was a simple exercise?• There must be a perfectly simple explanation.• I'm sure there's a perfectly simple explanation.• She drew us a simple map so that we wouldn't get lost.• simple organisms such as bacteria• In front a simple porch offered a spectacular vista of coconut-fringed beach, lagoon, and open sea beyond.• He couldn't even answer very simple questions.• Milk is cheap now for one simple reason: there's too much of it available.• Salads on the other hand, are simple, satisfying and sizable.• The simple sieves we have been considering so far in this chapter are all examples of single-step selection.• His children find European numbering simpler than the Chinese system.• Many vegetarian meals are delicious and simple to prepare.• The new photocopier is much simpler to use than the one we had before.• The tribes of Central New Guinea use very simple tools such as hammers and axes.• Only the simpler, uglier land mine has shed more blood.• Speak slowly and use simple words so that everyone understands.it’s as simple as that• Just call her up - it's as simple as that.• I don't trust anyone as far as I could throw them: it's as simple as that.• I shall run away, Lily had thought then, it's as simple as that.• If they cause trouble with me I cause trouble with them it's as simple as that.• That's all there is, it's as simple as that.• The relative prosperity of the town does not justify Development Area status it's as simple as that.• What's missing is a genuinely creative interest in local talent, it's as simple as that.pure and simple• But more subtle problems remain-related to sexism, pure and simple.• If they lived in the Middle East they were bad, pure and simple.• The bottom line is in the ledger book, pure and simple.• The man wants revenge, pure and simple, and he's working logically through the family, saving Stone until last.• The first is pure and simple file transfer.• A gratuitous promise, pure and simple, remains unenforceable unless given under seal.• But lineage pure and simple was not the only consideration.Origin simple (1200-1300) Old French “plain, uncomplicated”, from Latin simplus, from sim- “one” + -plus “multiplied by”sim·ple adjective →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
or not difficult Corpus understand do or complicated to
simple
sim‧ple S1 W1 /ˈsɪmpəl/
adjective (comparative simpler, superlative simplest)
a simple but effective solution to the problem
There is no simple answer to this question.
I’m sure there’s a perfectly simple explanation.
simple to use/make/operate etc
Modern cameras are very simple to use.
relatively/fairly/quite etc simple
There are relatively simple exercises to build strength.
We want to keep the costumes as simple as possible.
We can’t pay people any more money until the company is more profitable. I’m afraid it’s as simple as that.
2. PLAIN made in a plain style, without a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added:
She dressed with simple elegance.
simple but delicious food
a building constructed in a simple classic style
3. ONLY [usually before noun] used to emphasize that only one thing is involved:
Completing the race is not just a simple matter of physical fitness.
The simple fact is , he’s not very good at his job.
Their motive was greed, pure and simple.
4. NOT HAVING MANY PARTS made or built of only a few parts, and not having a complicated structure:
It’s a very simple machine.
They evolved from simple life forms that existed millions of years ago.
5. ORDINARY honest and ordinary and not special in any way:
Joe was just a simple farmer.
6. GRAMMAR technical simple tenses are not formed with an auxiliary such as ‘have’ or ‘be’
7. the simple life life without too many possessions or modern machines, usually in the countryside
8. STUPID [not before noun] someone who is simple is not very intelligent:
I’m afraid Luke’s a bit simple.
■ adverbs
▪very/extremely/incredibly simple I came up with a very simple answer to this problem.
▪relatively/fairly/quite simple The rules are quite simple.
▪deceptively simple (=seeming simple, but in fact complicated or difficult) It’s a deceptively simple idea, but it’s very difficult to put into practice.
▪perfectly simple Well? It’s a perfectly simple question.
■ phrases
▪simple to use/make/operate etc The machine is very simple to use.
▪simple but effective Any child’s behaviour can be improved by this simple but effective technique.
▪keep something simple Keep your explanation as simple as possible.
sim‧ple S1 W1 /ˈsɪmpəl/
adjective (comparative simpler, superlative simplest) Word Family: noun: simplicity, simplification, simpleton; adverb: simply, simplistically; adjective: simple, simplistic; verb: simplify
Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: 'plain, uncomplicated', from Latin simplus, from sim- 'one' + -plus 'multiplied by'
1. EASY not difficult or complicated to do or understand:Language: Old French
Origin: 'plain, uncomplicated', from Latin simplus, from sim- 'one' + -plus 'multiplied by'
simple to use/make/operate etc
relatively/fairly/quite etc simple
2. PLAIN made in a plain style, without a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added:
3. ONLY [usually before noun] used to emphasize that only one thing is involved:
4. NOT HAVING MANY PARTS made or built of only a few parts, and not having a complicated structure:
5. ORDINARY honest and ordinary and not special in any way:
6. GRAMMAR technical simple tenses are not formed with an auxiliary such as ‘have’ or ‘be’
7. the simple life life without too many possessions or modern machines, usually in the countryside
8. STUPID [not before noun] someone who is simple is not very intelligent:
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plain used for talking about a fact that other people may not like to hear; honest and direct in way that other people may not like 用于他人可能不乐意听的事实，或指直率、直接得让人不喜欢 ：◆ The plain fact is that nobody really knows. 事实很明显，没有人真正了解。 simple [ 用于他人可能不乐意听的事实，或指事物简单明了 ：◆ The simple truth is that we just can't afford it. 事实很简单，我们就是付不起。
plain or simple? 用 plain 还是 simple？
stark ( used for describing an unpleasant fact or difference that is very obviousrather
用于描述令人不快的事实或区别十分明显、鲜明 ：◆ The stark truth is that there is not enough money left. 明摆着的事实是剩下的钱已经不够了。 NOTE The simple/plain truth may be sth that some people do not want to hear, but it may be good for them to hear it anyway. Thestark truth is sth particularly unpleasant and has no good side to it at all.* simple/plain truth 指所谈的事尽管不中听，但听了可能会有好处。stark truth 指所谈之事特别令人不快，而且没有任何好处。 bare [ 指最基本的、最简单的 ：◆ She gave me only the bare facts of the case. 她只给我介绍了这个案件的一些基本情况。 unequivocal ( expressing your opinion or intention very clearly and firmly指表达明确的、毫不含糊的、斩钉截铁的 ：◆ The reply was an unequivocal 'no'. 回答是个干脆利落的 “不” 字。
Patterns
the plain/simple/stark/bare/unequivocal truth a(n) plain/simple/stark/bare/unequivocal fact/statement a(n) plain/simple/unequivocal answer
