simplicity

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The quality of being easy to grasp, carry out, or operate because nothing is complicated or confusing.

   Grammar: No plural and no article in general use: the simplicity of the plan, not a simplicity of the plan.

   Patterns

   • the simplicity of something
   • for simplicity

   The simplicity of the recipe means even a beginner can cook it in twenty minutes.

   Customers praised the app for its simplicity.

   For the sake of simplicity, we will ignore the smaller costs.

2. 2noununcountableapproving

   A plain, uncluttered style or way of living, without luxury, decoration, or fuss.

   Grammar: Often used approvingly about design or lifestyle: a life of simplicity.

   Patterns

   • live in simplicity
   • simplicity of style

   The monks lived in great simplicity, owning little more than their robes.

   The room's simplicity, with white walls and one wooden chair, felt calming.

   She admired the simplicity of his writing.

Word forms

Common combinations

sheer simplicity

The sheer simplicity of the idea surprised the engineers.

elegant simplicity

The watch is known for its elegant simplicity.

for the sake of simplicity

For the sake of simplicity, I have rounded all prices to the nearest dollar.

beauty in simplicity

Japanese gardens often find beauty in simplicity.

deceptive simplicity

The song has a deceptive simplicity; it is much harder to play than it sounds.

Synonyms and how they differ

ease

Ease describes how little effort a task takes, while simplicity describes the plain structure that makes it easy.

plainness

Plainness stresses a lack of decoration and can sound slightly negative, whereas simplicity is usually a compliment.

clarity

Clarity is about being clear and easy to understand, while simplicity is about having few parts or steps.

austerity

Austerity suggests strict, often harsh restraint, while simplicity feels gentler and chosen.

Opposites

Word family

simple adjective

easy to understand or plain in form

simply adverb

in a plain way; merely

simplify verb

to make something easier or less complicated

simplification noun

the act of making something simpler

simplistic adjective

treating a complex matter as if it were too simple

Commonly confused: simplicity or simplicity vs simplism?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “simplicity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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