plain Jane 1 of 2

Definition of plain Janenext

plain-Jane

2 of 2

adjective

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 If a plain Jane hamburger is your thing, go for it. Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2023 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain Jane
Noun
  • 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
  • How can Jessica Reynolds know that she’s managed to anchor her Emma Harte as a sort of everywoman.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Whenever your outfit feels a little plain, these goodies will inject some welcome personality—all without blowing a hole in your budget.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 8 June 2026
  • The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • And this postseason, the back-to-back defending champs are watching the playoffs like the rest of us commoners: from the couch.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
  • The psoas is important, but invisible, like a commoner.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Once the Islander opened the door, in typical Love Island USA fashion, they were prompted to kiss the other islanders with common interests.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
  • In the Veritasium video, Humphreys speculated that the Russians may have been testing the satellites’ GPS interference capabilities only briefly on a neighboring frequency adjacent to the typical GPS band.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • On the one hand, the proletarian contributes every bit of on-the-clock activity to the value of the resulting commodity.
    Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The song, now considered a protest anthem, is about a social revolution in which French proletarians stand against the ruling class — in this case, an oppressive monarchy.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Potterheads across the globe will instantly recognize Harry’s not-so-homely house on Privet Drive, his cramped excuse of a bedroom and the endless disdain oozing from the young wizard’s unloving aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
    Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In the instance that fueled the witness-dissuasion conviction, a teen boy, John Doe 2 reportedly suffered a serious head injury after drunkenly hanging from O’Connor’s SUV — driven by another teen — then falling during a joyride in the high school parking lot.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
  • Jason Statham’s Bourne style action pic John Doe is said to include a nice twist and is in the $80M range.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • In mid-January, as Iran crushed wide-scale protests with the mass killing of demonstrators, Israel prepared a covert mission along the Azerbaijan-Iran border, two of the sources familiar with the plans told CNN.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Broadcom is backstopping payments on the largest portions of the transaction, people familiar with the matter have said.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plain Jane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain%20Jane. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster