plain Jane 1 of 2

noun

Definition of plain Janenext
as in everywoman

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plain-Jane

2 of 2

adjective

as in plain

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plain Jane
Noun
Sure, there’s the plain Jane staples, but Fat Patty also offers a variety of specialty burgers. — Renee Umsted, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025 Jane starts off literally like plain Jane, very sweet and wholesome. — EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025 This means that even your plain Jane, vanilla cookie lover will enjoy this cookie as much as the anything-goes cookie enthusiast. — Elizabeth Karmel, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 The relationship is actually quite a bit more plain Jane than a lot of other relationships in the show. — David Viramontes, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2022 Peer through their five spokes, and the standard cast-iron rotors and black calipers look plain Jane to those used to slotted discs and colorful binders, but there's always Porsche's $8970 ceramic composite brake option. — Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 6 Apr. 2022
Adjective
Unlike plain-Jane business conferences that focus on tactics or transactions, the best leadership gatherings expose you to ideas that stretch your assumptions. — Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Much has been said about Bella's plain-Jane persona, but Stewart's earnest performance vivifies the character with a plucky yet lovesick duality that also grounds the film's lofty fantasy sequences. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025 What about plain-Jane organic sheep who’ve been hijacked by a grapefruit-size eyeball with tentacles? — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 And while your Christmas tree might ordinarily be decked out with plain-Jane trimmings or classic tinsel, Walmart has the iconic Hallmark ornaments that will not only remind you of the good old days but spice up your decor. — Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Dec. 2024 The Romans christened it Insula Minor, Lesser Island, as if forever bequeathing it plain-Jane status next to Ibiza and Mallorca, its alluring Balearic sisters. — Stephanie Rafanelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2023 Although our lens is very focused on what’s dope and not just the inline plain-Jane black Authentics or Old Skools. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain Jane
  1. everywoman
  2. plain
  3. commoner
  4. typical
  5. proletarian
  6. homely
  7. John Doe
  8. familiar
Noun
  • Sara Bareilles grounds the action as the everywoman at the show’s center, with Busy Philipps and Paula Pell inhabiting every hilarious corner of their outsized characters.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
  • Mary was a vacuum—conceived as little more than an American everywoman—and Lasser rushed to fill that void with her own experience.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Definition of everywoman
Adjective
  • In 1929, an Armenian immigrant family founded what would become the Colombo brand, selling large containers of plain yogurt as a convenience for fellow transplants from other parts of the world.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Business leaders, model risk teams, auditors and regulators all need different levels of explanation, from a plain-language summary to a detailed technical trace.
    — Sandeep Shivam, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of plain
Noun
  • In the fairytale, the princess flees to another kingdom for a while to get away from the misery brought on by her father, finding work as a commoner to conceal her identity.
    — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And the story was about King George IV of England, then the Prince of Wales, and his deep infatuation with a Catholic commoner, Maria Fitzherbert.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of commoner
Adjective
  • Number 1, because each well requires up to 20 million gallons of fresh water to frac a typical horizontal well.
    — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The wardrobes, however spacious, were creaky; none of the typical five-star tech touches are present—no Nespresso machine, no Dyson hair dryer, no in-wall USB outlets, though there is a charging dock.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of typical
Noun
  • Now artists, who had only recently emerged as solo entrepreneurs, reverted to their erstwhile status as proletarians—indeed, as migrant workers.
    — Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
  • Fundamentally, the proletarian forfeits not so much income as individual freedom and the sovereignty of his or her class.
    — Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of proletarian
Adjective
  • Perhaps the homeliest dish is Karlsson’s ‘genius’ oatmeal porridge.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • L'Apogée Courchevel L'Apogée Courchevel L'Apogée Courchevel L'Apogée Courchevel This 55-room Oetker Hotel atop the former Olympic ski jump was collaboratively designed by India Madhavi and Joseph Durand, a charming fairytale cottage of cozy corners and homely touches.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Definition of homely
Noun
  • The facility assigned the victim — identified as John Doe — to be Drotts’ client.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Anthony Mackie plays John Doe, a motormouth scavenger eking out a living in the wastelands of the former United States.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Definition of John Doe
Adjective
  • Financial firms are now gearing up to jump into the market in a different way, as executives like Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and KKR's Waldemar Szlezak see AI equipment attaining familiar money-making characteristics.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • If this sounds like a familiar issue to you, pack some extra Tylenol to be safe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of familiar

Browse Nearby Words

plainclothesmen
plain Jane
plain-Jane
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Cite this Entry

“Plain Jane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain%20Jane. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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