1
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments
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Relevance
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2
as in pure
free from added matter
I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else
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3
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful
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4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a plain report on the current situation
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5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
let me make my meaning plain
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as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
told her plain that he loved her
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1
as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins
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2
as in expanse
a wide space or area
the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly
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1
as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
his unabashed plainness in telling people exactly what he thought of them was often offensive
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2
as in simplicity
the quality or state of having a form or structure of few parts or elements
the plainness and clean lines of that coffeemaker make it a piece of modern sculpture as well as a kitchen appliance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plain
Leigh Scheps, Parents, 21 July 2025
In the post’s third slide, Mahomes posed alongside her husband Patrick Mahomes, and their two children, Sterling and Bronze, while wearing a plain T-shirt, black shorts, and a fuss-free crossbody bag perfect for days spent chasing little ones.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 July 2025
Olga Mecking, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
Plus, this movie, written by Richard Matheson, is just plain exciting as hell.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
New York Times, 11 July 2025
Iceland is an astrobiologist’s dream — rife with active volcanic landscapes, basaltic plains and lava tunnels that have repeatedly been used by NASA as a stand in for Mars.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
Back home, kids' meals in New Jersey cost anywhere from $12, $16 or recently, $20 for a plain bowl of spaghetti.
—Leigh Scheps, Parents, 21 July 2025
In the post’s third slide, Mahomes posed alongside her husband Patrick Mahomes, and their two children, Sterling and Bronze, while wearing a plain T-shirt, black shorts, and a fuss-free crossbody bag perfect for days spent chasing little ones.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 July 2025
Adverb
But in Europe, including Poland, the bagel is not coming back in its original version—served and eaten plain—but in its New York rendition, with toppings like cream cheese and lox.
—Olga Mecking, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
Plus, this movie, written by Richard Matheson, is just plain exciting as hell.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Noun
The campground sits on land designated as a flood plain.
—New York Times, 11 July 2025
Iceland is an astrobiologist’s dream — rife with active volcanic landscapes, basaltic plains and lava tunnels that have repeatedly been used by NASA as a stand in for Mars.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
The simple solution is wearing regular ballet flats, whether they’re made from leather, satin, or something else.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Citing the Base Realignment and Closure commission example is pure illusion.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
But given that season 2 is yet to be confirmed, this is pure speculation.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
The outspoken tech tycoon has made waves across the government with his new Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed jobs and forced employees back into the office.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Scherzer, one of the most outspoken players in the league, was a member of the MLBPA’s eight-player subcommittee, a group that unanimously rejected the current collective bargaining agreement more than three years ago.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Watching the Dragon Ball franchise in release order is fairly straightforward.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
24 July 2025
-
Usually, first-round contracts are straightforward, with terms outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
The entrepreneur and podcaster David Sacks has shaped dramatic and high-impact shifts in US policy with presidential support but little obvious meddling, and emerged as one of the most effective figures in the administration.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
28 July 2025
-
Nothing, though, has been more of a through-line and obvious catalyst to what Reid had going than the arrival of Mahomes — ever-resilient and defying convention and gravity and imposing his mindset and will not just on opponents, but on all around him.—
Vahe Gregorian
July 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
He’s been honest and realistic with his teammates about it.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
Nashville hot chicken is perhaps this city's most famed dish, but the best of it has more nuance than just straight heat.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
-
Friday’s home starter is Logan Webb (9-7), an All-Star for the second consecutive year and the NL’s leader in innings pitched for the third straight season.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
The talent is evident, yet the three aim to stay humble.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 July 2025
-
White’s taste for Richardsonian sturdiness was evident in the roughhewn blocks of bluestone forming the ground floor and the twenty-five-foot-wide iron portcullis guarding the arched entrance.—
Henry Wiencek
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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