1. (

• merely ,
• simply ,
• just ,
• only ,
• but ,

) and nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment" ;

2. (

• just ,
• simply ,

) (used for emphasis) absolutely; "I just can't take it anymore"; "he was just grand as Romeo"; "it's simply beautiful!" ;

3. (

• simply ,

) absolutely; altogether; really; "we are simply broke" ;

4. (

• plainly ,
• simply ,

) in a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment; "she was dressed plainly"; "they lived very simply" ;