simply speaking — used to introduce a summary or the most basic way of explaining something
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: used to introduce a summary or the most basic way of explaining something
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsɪmpli ˈspiːkɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- Simply speaking, my dog ate my homework, my alarm didn't ring, and I fell asleep on the bus—so yes, I'm late again.
- Simply speaking, quantum physics is about really, really tiny things doing really, really weird stuff.
- Simply speaking, the experiment shows that plants grow faster with more sunlight.
simply speaking
ADVERB[/ˈsɪmpli ˈspiːkɪŋ/]
used to introduce a summary or the most basic way of explaining something
Simply speaking, the whole project failed because nobody read the instructions.
SIMPLY(basic) + SPEAKING(talking) — completely ignoring the confusing medical charts and SIMPLY(basic) SPEAKING(talking) directly to the patient, the doctor explained the cure.
After looking at the dangerously leaking pipe, the plumber didn't give a long excuse, but told the exact truth, simply speaking.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Simply speaking combines 'simply', derived from Latin simplex meaning 'single, simple', and 'speaking', from Old English specan meaning 'to speak'. Originally a literal phrase meaning 'speaking simply', it evolved into a discourse marker used to introduce simplified explanations of complex ideas.
Breakdown
sim- (one, single) + -plex (fold) + -ly (manner adverb) + speak (Old English specan, to speak) + -ing (present participle). The phrase combines 'simply' (in a simple manner) with 'speaking' (the act of utterance) to create a parenthetical expression.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Simply speaking, my dog ate my homework, my alarm didn't ring, and I fell asleep on the bus—so yes, I'm late again.”
“Simply speaking, quantum physics is about really, really tiny things doing really, really weird stuff.”
“Simply speaking, the experiment shows that plants grow faster with more sunlight.”
“Simply speaking, we lost the game because the other team was simply better.”
“Simply speaking, my cat's life philosophy is: eat, sleep, judge humans, repeat.”
📚Related Words
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