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Definition of simplicity noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

simplicity

noun
 
/sɪmˈplɪsəti/
 
/sɪmˈplɪsəti/
(plural simplicities)
Idioms
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  1. [uncountable] the quality of being easy to understand or use
    • the relative simplicity of the new PC
    • For the sake of simplicity, let's divide the discussion into two parts.
    Extra Examples
    • For simplicity, I shall continue to use the accepted term.
    • Her views of the world have a childlike simplicity.
    • I find elegance in the simplicity of approach.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • elegant
    • extreme
    • great
    verb + simplicity
    • have
    preposition
    • simplicity of
    • for simplicity
    phrases
    • be simplicity itself
    • for simplicity’s sake
    • for the sake of simplicity
    See full entry
  2. [uncountable] (approving) the quality of being natural and plain
    • the simplicity of the architecture
    • the simplicity of country living
    • The stage design is striking in its stark simplicity.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • elegant
    • extreme
    • great
    verb + simplicity
    • have
    preposition
    • simplicity of
    • for simplicity
    phrases
    • be simplicity itself
    • for simplicity’s sake
    • for the sake of simplicity
    See full entry
  3. [countable, usually plural] an aspect of something that is easy, natural or plain
    • the simplicities of our old way of life
  4. Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French simplicite or Latin simplicitas, from simplex ‘single’, variant of simplus ‘simple’.
Idioms
be simplicity itself
  1. to be very easy or plain
    • Changing the settings on the alarm system is simplicity itself.
    • His solution to the problem was simplicity itself.
See simplicity in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee simplicity in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
previously
adverb
 
 
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