ˈsimplē, -li, in senses 1 & 2 sometimes -pəl- adverb
Etymology: Middle English simplely, simply, from simple (I) + -ly
1. : in a straightforward manner : modestly , sincerely
behaved so simply and magnificently that even his enemies found themselves won over — C.L.Carmer
2.
a. : without ambiguity : intelligibly , clearly
let the narrative unfold simply and objectively — R.A.Cordell
b. : without extravagance or embellishment : plainly
within the range of the simply educated — J.H.Plumb
a graceful structure, built simply when simplicity was not considered a virtue — American Guide Series: Minnesota
c. : without complexity or subterfuge : directly , candidly
everything … came to happen as simply and as naturally and as gradually as a season coming on — R.P.Warren
this she said as simply as a child recites a tale — Pearl Buck
3.
a. obsolete : absolutely , categorically
that they have any being, purely and simply , I deny — R.G.Preston
b. : in or of itself : without augmentation : merely , solely
readers who read books simply to finish them — James Thurber
in this chapter … we simply note the principal characteristics of the period — Tom Wintringham
she was simply and solely a beautiful woman — Jean Stafford
c. : in actual fact : literally , really
there simply is not enough work to go around — Hamilton Basso
— often used as an intensive
you simply must wear a British bowler — John McCaffrey
4. archaic : ignorantly , foolishly
got money from various simply disposed persons, under pretence of getting them confidential appointments — W.M.Thackeray