To simplify \(2^{-5}\), we can use the property of exponents that states \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\).
So,
\[ 2^{-5} = \frac{1}{2^5} \]
Now, we calculate \(2^5\):
\[ 2^5 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 32 \]
Thus,
\[ 2^{-5} = \frac{1}{32} \]
The simplified form of \(2^{-5}\) is
\[ \frac{1}{32} \]
Therefore, the answer is \( \frac{1}{32} \).