simplicity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the quality of being easy to understand or do.
the quality of being easy to understand, solve, or use; the absence of difficulty or complexity.
Simple“The simplicity of the instructions made it easy to build the desk in ten minutes.”
In context“The software's success is largely due to the simplicity of its interface, which allows novice users to perform complex tasks without training.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'of'.
Antonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a style that is plain, natural, and not decorated.
freedom from deceit, affectation, or artificiality; a plainness of style or ornament.
Simple“She chose a dress of elegant simplicity for the wedding.”
In context“The architect was praised for the stark simplicity of the building, which relied on natural light rather than decorative flourishes.”
Antonymsextravaganceornateness - 03 C2 Proficiency
a lack of intelligence or being too easy to trick.
a state of being simple-minded or foolish; a lack of worldly wisdom.
Simple“In his simplicity, he believed every word the stranger told him.”
In context“The protagonist's tragic downfall was rooted in his own simplicity, as he failed to perceive the political machinations surrounding him.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is archaic; modern speakers prefer 'naivety' or 'gullibility' to describe this trait.
SynonymsnaivetyfoolishnessAntonymswisdomshrewdness
“From the very first page, Etna's voice is somber and poetic in its simplicity.”
“The second movement’s clarinet chorale was played with touching softness and simplicity.”
From Middle English simplicite, from Old French simplicite, from Latin simplicitās, from simplex (“simple”). See simple. Partially displaced native English onefoldness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.