as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
we decided to buy the plain-vanilla model because we don't have a lot of money to spend on extras
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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-vanilla
That means less plant capacity to make plain-vanilla DRAM for basic electronics like phones.
—
Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
That means less plant capacity to make plain-vanilla DRAM for basic electronics like phones.
—Debby Wu, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Even the most basic plain-vanilla checking account carries an underlying cost for transaction processing and maintenance, estimated between $200 and $400 annually.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
By blending plain-vanilla money funds with blockchain rails, the firm is proving that tokenization is not just a theory but a functioning business model.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Your dingy, plain-vanilla concrete drive can be transformed to a stunning art piece by installing a thin cement stucco coating.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
As a FactSet researcher told The Wall Street Journal, a more efficient, though less satisfying, way to virtue-signal would be to buy a plain-vanilla index fund and donate the investment gains to a political cause.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Replacing the plain-vanilla look of the previous iteration, Alfa G’s black hull with a signature red stripe and white superstructure complete this remarkable conversion.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
While the Federal Reserve began dialing back interest rates last fall, investors spent much of 2024 enjoying attractive yields on a range of plain-vanilla savings products.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
That means less plant capacity to make plain-vanilla DRAM for basic electronics like phones.
—Debby Wu, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Even the most basic plain-vanilla checking account carries an underlying cost for transaction processing and maintenance, estimated between $200 and $400 annually.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
By blending plain-vanilla money funds with blockchain rails, the firm is proving that tokenization is not just a theory but a functioning business model.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Your dingy, plain-vanilla concrete drive can be transformed to a stunning art piece by installing a thin cement stucco coating.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
As a FactSet researcher told The Wall Street Journal, a more efficient, though less satisfying, way to virtue-signal would be to buy a plain-vanilla index fund and donate the investment gains to a political cause.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Replacing the plain-vanilla look of the previous iteration, Alfa G’s black hull with a signature red stripe and white superstructure complete this remarkable conversion.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
While the Federal Reserve began dialing back interest rates last fall, investors spent much of 2024 enjoying attractive yields on a range of plain-vanilla savings products.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain-vanilla
Adjective
-
Both include full integration of the climate controls into the screen, requiring more concentration to use and additional steps to make adjustments previously accomplished by pressing a simple button.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists at Florida International University are developing a drug compound known as CTS2444-32, designed to reach deep brain regions affected by Parkinson's through a simple nasal delivery system.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In plain language, that means that the Pocket 4 was submitted to the FCC, but did not get the okay from the agency ahead of DJI securing a place on the Covered List.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The 62nd overall selection is khaki pants and plain white t-shirt.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plain-vanilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain-vanilla. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
