plain

adjective

\ ˈplān

Definition of plain

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : lacking ornament : undecorated

2 : free of extraneous matter : pure

3 : free of impediments to view : unobstructed

4a(1) : evident to the mind or senses : obvious it's perfectly plain that they will resist

(2) : clear let me make my meaning plain

b : marked by outspoken candor : free from duplicity or subtlety : blunt plain talk

5a : belonging to the masses : common

b : lacking special distinction or affectation : ordinary

6 : characterized by simplicity : not complicated plain home-cooked meals

7 : lacking beauty or ugliness

8 archaic : even, level

plain

noun

Definition of plain (Entry 2 of 5)

1a : an extensive area of level or rolling treeless country

b : a broad unbroken expanse

2 : something free from artifice, ornament, or extraneous matter

plain

adverb (1)

Definition of plain (Entry 3 of 5)

: in a plain manner : without obscurity or ambiguity saw them clearly and told you plain — Amer. Documentation

plain

adverb (2)

Definition of plain (Entry 4 of 5)

: absolutely sense 1a plain wrong

plain

verb

plained; plaining; plains

Definition of plain (Entry 5 of 5)

intransitive verb

archaic

: complain

Other Words from plain Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about plain

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Choose the Right Synonym for plain

Adjective

common, ordinary, plain, familiar, popular, vulgar mean generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual. common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence a common error lacked common honesty and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness. common manners ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things. an ordinary pleasant summer day a very ordinary sort of man plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity. plain hard-working people familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized. a familiar melody popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups. a writer of popular romances vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness). souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended. evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion. an evident fondness for sweets manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required. manifest hostility patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it. patent defects distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required. a distinct refusal obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer. the obvious solution apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference. for no apparent reason plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration. her feelings about him are plain clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern. a clear explanation

frank, candid, open, plain mean showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks. frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience. frank discussions candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion. a candid appraisal open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid. open in saying what they think plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression. plain talk

Examples of plain in a Sentence

Adjective

It was a plain room with no curtains. She was wearing plain black shoes. He printed the picture on plain paper. a piece of plain chicken You don't have to call me Mr. Johnson—just plain Fred will be fine. What he said is a lie, plain and simple.

Noun

the Great Plains of the United States the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins

First Known Use of plain

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for plain

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin planum, from neuter of planus flat, plain — more at floor

Adverb (2)

partly from Middle English plein entire, complete, from Anglo-French, full, from Latin plenus; partly from plain entry 3 — more at full

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French pleindre, plaindre, from Latin plangere to lament — more at plaint

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More Definitions for plain

plain

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of plain

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having no pattern or decoration

: not having any added or extra things

: easy to see or understand

plain

noun

English Language Learners Definition of plain (Entry 2 of 2)

: a large area of flat land without trees

See the full definition for plain in the English Language Learners Dictionary

plain

adjective

\ ˈplān

plainer; plainest

Kids Definition of plain

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : having no pattern or decoration a plain jacket

2 : not handsome or beautiful

3 : not hard to do or understand The lesson was explained in plain words. The directions were plain.

4 : without anything having been added He eats plain yogurt.

5 : open and clear to the sight I left my money in plain view.

6 : frank The judge is famous for her plain speaking.

7 : of common or average accomplishments or position : ordinary just plain folks

plain

noun

Kids Definition of plain (Entry 2 of 3)

: a large area of level or rolling treeless land

plain

adverb

Kids Definition of plain (Entry 3 of 3)

: without any question : to a complete degree … she's just plain jealous when I'm at the piano and she's not.— Karen Hesse, Out of the Dust

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plain

Definition of plain

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Examples of plain in a Sentence

First Known Use of plain

History and Etymology for plain

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The first known use of plain was in the 14th century

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plain

Definition of plain

Other Words from plain

Synonyms & Antonyms for plain

Choose the Right Synonym for plain

Examples of plain in a Sentence

First Known Use of plain

History and Etymology for plain

Learn More about plain

Dictionary Entries near plain

Phrases Related to plain

Statistics for plain

The first known use of plain was in the 14th century

English Language Learners Definition of plain

Kids Definition of plain

WORD OF THE DAY

ecstatic

Test Your Vocabulary

Aww it's So 'Adorkable'

A Glossary of River Words

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

Trending: 'Surveillance': Same as Spying?

On Contractions of Multiple Words