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plain

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /pleɪn/

Forms: plains

plain means: Simple and ordinary, with no decoration or special details.

adjective

SIMPLEA2

Simple and ordinary, with no decoration or special details.

  • She wore a plain dress.
  • The room had plain wooden furniture.
  • I prefer a plain design without decorations.

Similar words: simple, unadorned, basic

Opposites: ornate, decorated

Common phrases: plain dress, plain furniture, plain design

CLEARB1

Easy to see or understand.

  • Her disappointment was plain to see.
  • He made his intentions plain.
  • The plain truth is that we need help.

How to use it: plain to someone (It was plain to everyone that she was tired.); make something plain (Please make your meaning plain.)

Similar words: clear, obvious, evident

Opposites: unclear

Common phrases: plain truth, make something plain, plain to see

ONE COLOURA2

Having one colour and no pattern.

  • I bought a plain blue shirt.
  • Choose plain curtains for this busy room.
  • Do you prefer plain fabric or stripes?

Similar words: solid-coloured

Opposites: patterned

Common phrases: plain shirt, plain fabric, plain blue

NO EXTRASA2

Made or served simply, without added flavours, sauces, or toppings.

  • I usually eat plain yogurt.
  • Would you like your rice plain?
  • She ordered a plain bagel without butter.

Similar words: unflavoured

Common phrases: plain yogurt, plain rice, plain bagel

NOT ATTRACTIVEB2

Having an ordinary appearance that is not especially attractive.

  • He had a rather plain face.
  • She considered herself plain when she was young.
  • His sister was plain but had a lovely smile.

Similar words: unattractive, ordinary-looking

Opposites: beautiful, handsome

Common phrases: plain face, rather plain, plain looking

noun

FLAT LANDB1

A large area of flat land, often with grass and few trees.

  • Horses grazed on the plain.
  • The river crosses a wide plain.
  • Large herds live on these grassy plains.

Similar words: flatland

Common phrases: coastal plain, open plain, grassy plain, vast plain

adverb

SIMPLYB2

Used to emphasize that something clearly has a particular quality.

  • That answer is plain wrong.
  • Leaving the door open was just plain stupid.
  • The price they asked was plain ridiculous.

Similar words: simply, just, downright

Common phrases: just plain wrong, plain stupid, plain silly

Questions about plain

What does plain mean?

Simple and ordinary, with no decoration or special details.

What is plain in other languages?

Türkçe: sade · Español: sencillo · Français: simple · Deutsch: schlicht · Italiano: semplice · 日本語: 質素な

How do you pronounce plain?

It is pronounced /pleɪn/.

How do you use plain in a sentence?

She wore a plain dress. The room had plain wooden furniture.

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Phrases with plain

plain in other languages

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