simpler

Simpler is the comparative form of the adjective simple. It describes something that has less complexity, fewer parts, or is easier to understand, operate, or achieve than another item or situation.

Origin and usage: The word comes from Latin simplex, meaning 'one-fold' or 'unmixed,' through Old French and into English during the Middle Ages. In modern use, simpler is employed when comparing two or more things in terms of simplicity or ease, typically with a than clause or in a context that implies comparison.

Usage notes: Simpler can apply to explanations, designs, processes, systems, or strategies. While it often signals a preferable balance of effort and complexity, it does not automatically imply superiority. A simpler solution may omit essential features or introduce other risks, and oversimplification can reduce functionality or accuracy depending on the context.

Examples: "The new version is simpler to install." "We adopted a simpler design to reduce maintenance." See also: simple, simplest, simplification, simplify. Related concepts include Occam's razor, which advocates favoring simpler explanations when they adequately explain the data, and ideas of user-friendliness and straightforwardness in design.