Definitions

pure and simple

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mere adj.
pure adj.
simple adj.
unvarnished adj.
vanilla adj.

ADJECTIVE

mere

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bare minor pure sheer simple

STRONG

common entire little plain poor small

WEAK

bald blunt complete insignificant stark unadorned unadulterated unmitigated unmixed utter very

Antonyms

STRONGEST

decorated indefinite uncertain

STRONG

abnormal big enormous excellent extraordinary great huge immense important large superior uncommon

ADJECTIVE

pure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authentic bright classic natural neat perfect plain real simple transparent true unadulterated

WEAK

24-carat clear complete fair flawless kosher limpid lucid out-and-out pellucid plenary straight total unalloyed unclouded undiluted unmingled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abnormal cloudy complex complicated counterfeit dark decorated difficult dishonest embellished fake false intricate invalid obscure ornate unclear uncommon unintelligible unreal vague

WEAK

applied contaminated corrupt dirty immodest impure indecent indefinite mixed obscene polluted tainted uncertain unchaste ungenuine vulgar

ADJECTIVE

simple

Synonyms

STRONGEST

classic clean elementary modest plain pure uncomplicated

STRONG

absolute mere rustic single spartan vanilla

WEAK

austere discreet folksy homely homey humble inelaborate lowly not complex open and shut sheer unadorned unadulterated unaffected unalloyed unblended uncombined uncompounded undecorated unelaborate unembellished unfussy unmitigated unmixed unornamented unostentatious unpretentious unqualified

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abnormal abstruse complex complicated difficult dirty extraordinary immodest impure indefinite intricate polluted unchaste

WEAK

aware cluttered convoluted decorated embellished exacting intelligent jumbled mature older on-the-ball ornate smart sophisticated unclear unintelligible

ADJECTIVE

unvarnished

Synonyms

STRONGEST

candid straightforward unadorned

WEAK

bare clean down and dirty folksy for real frank genuine homey naked open open and shut pure simple sincere stark straight unconcealed undisguised undissembled unembellished vanilla

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deceitful devious

WEAK

dishonest falsified

ADJECTIVE

vanilla

Synonyms

STRONG

clean plain rustic

WEAK

austere elementary folksy homely humble inelaborate mid modest uncluttered uncomplicated undecorated unelaborate unembellished unornamented unostentatious unpretentious your basic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

pure and simple

“Nothing about these contracts is an investment. Nothing about them is a rational hedge for a financial position. They are pure and simple gambling vehicles running through a U.S. government-regulated exchange,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

Money, pure and simple, is a main reason.

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

"The West had nothing to do with this. This is just hate, bigotry and intimidation, pure and simple."

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2023

The cave diver tweet is a pure and simple ragepost.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 8, 2023

Their purpose, as the name suggests, is to beautify the useful—an important and valued end, but limited in comparison to art pure and simple.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

pure and simple

Example Sentences

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