How to pronounce simply
Say it like SIM-plee. Simply has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce simply. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIM
- plee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Simply pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- pleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of simply
American and British speakers say simply in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪmpli/ in the US and /ˈsɪmpli/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIM-plee.
What does simply mean?
- and nothing more“I was merely asking”“it is simply a matter of time”
- (used for emphasis) absolutely“I just can't take it anymore”“he was just grand as Romeo”
- absolutely; altogether; really“we are simply broke”
Where does simply come from?
From Middle English symply, symplely; equivalent to simple + -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying simply
How do you pronounce simply?
Say SIM-plee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪmpli/. In British English it is /ˈsɪmpli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in simply?
Simply has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIM). Broken into parts: SIM · plee.
Do Americans and Brits say simply the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪmpli/ and the British form is /ˈsɪmpli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.