# simply

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈsɪmpli/ · frequency rank #887

## Definitions
1. In a simple way or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; alone.
2. Plainly; without art or subtlety
3. Foolishly; stupidly.
4. Merely; solely.
5. absolutely, positively.
6. Frankly.

## Etymology
From Middle English symply, symplely; equivalent to simple + -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.

## Easily confused with
- **supply** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simply-vs-supply)
- **skimpy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simply-vs-skimpy)
- **singly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simply-vs-singly)
- **silly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/silly-vs-simply)
- **simple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simple-vs-simply)
- **sample** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sample-vs-simply)
- **Sicily** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sicily-vs-simply)
- **sickly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sickly-vs-simply)
- **simpler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simpler-vs-simply)
- **simplex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simplex-vs-simply)
- **simplify** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/simplify-vs-simply)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ismply`, `simlpy`, `simmply`, `simplly`, `simplyy`, `simpply`, `simpyl`, `sipmly`, `smiply`, `ssimply`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/simply