Definition of 'plain'

plain

(pleɪn )

Word forms: comparative plainer , superlative plainest , plural plains

1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

A plain object, surface, or fabric is entirely in one colour and has no pattern, design, or writing on it.

In general, a plain carpet makes a room look bigger.

He placed the paper in a plain envelope.

He wore a plain blue shirt, open at the collar.

2. adjective

Something that is plain is very simple in style.

Bronwen's dress was plain but it hung well on her.

It was a plain, grey stone house, distinguished mainly by its largely unspoilt simplicity.

Synonyms: unadorned, simple, basic, severe More Synonyms of plain

plainly adverb [ADVERB -ed]

He was very tall and plainly dressed.

3. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If a fact, situation, or statement is plain, it is easy to recognize or understand.

It was plain to him that I was having a nervous breakdown.

He's made it plain that he loves the game and wants to be involved still.

Synonyms: clear, obvious, patent, evident More Synonyms of plain

4. See also plain-spoken

5. adjective

If you describe someone as plain, you think they look ordinary and not at all beautiful.

...a shy, rather plain girl with a pale complexion.

Synonyms: ugly, ordinary, unattractive, homely [US, Canadian] More Synonyms of plain

6. countable noun

A plain is a large flat area of land with very few trees on it.

Once there were 70 million buffalo on the plains.

Synonyms: flatland, plateau, prairie, grassland More Synonyms of plain

7. adverb [ADVERB adjective]

You can use plain before an adjective in order to emphasize it.

[emphasis]

The food was just plain terrible.

Plain is also used before a noun.

Is it love of publicity or plain stupidity on her part?

8. adjective [ADJ n-proper]

You can use plain before a name to emphasize how simple and ordinary it is, especially when you are comparing it with another more unusual or impressive name.

[emphasis]

Why couldn't they call you plain Ann or Alice like the rest?

See in plain clothes

10. plain sailing

More Synonyms of plain

Video: pronunciation of
plain

plain in British English 1

(pleɪn )

adjective

flat or smooth; level

not complicated; clear

the plain truth

not difficult; simple or easy

a plain task

honest or straightforward

lowly, esp in social rank or education

without adornment or show

a plain coat

(of fabric) without pattern or of simple untwilled weave

not attractive

not mixed; simple

plain vodka

10. knitting

of or done in plain

noun

11.

a level or almost level tract of country, esp an extensive treeless region

12.

a simple stitch in knitting made by putting the right needle into a loop on the left needle, passing the wool round the right needle, and pulling it through the loop, thus forming a new loop

13. (in billiards)

the unmarked white ball, as distinguished from the spot balls

the player using this ball

14.

(in Ireland) short for plain porter, a light porter

two pints of plain, please

adverb

15.

( intensifier)

just plain tired

Derived forms

plainly (ˈplainly)

adverb

plainness (ˈplainness)

noun

Word origin

C13: from Old French: simple, from Latin plānus level, distinct, clear

plain in British English 2

(pleɪn )

verb

a dialect or poetic word for complain

Word origin

C14 pleignen, from Old French plaindre to lament, from Latin plangere to beat

plain in American English 1

(pleɪn )

adjective

1. Obsolete

flat; level; plane

free from obstructions; open; clear

in plain view

clearly understood; evident; obvious

to make one's meaning plain

outspoken; frank; straightforward

plain talk

downright; thoroughgoing

plain nonsense

not luxurious or ornate; unembellished

a plain coat

not complicated; simple

plain sewing

not good-looking; homely

a plain face

not figured, dyed, or twilled

plain cloth

pure; unmixed

plain soda

10.

not of high rank or position; such as characterizes the common people; ordinary

a plain man

noun

11.

an extent of level country

adverb

12.

clearly or simply

just plain tired

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈevident

Derived forms

plainly (ˈplainly)

adverb

plainness (ˈplainness)

noun

Word origin

OFr < L planus, flat, level < IE base *plā-, broad, flat > floor, field

plain in American English 2

(pleɪn )

verb intransitive

Chiefly Dialectal

to complain

Word origin

ME pleynen < OFr plaindre < L plangere: see plaint

Examples of 'plain' in a sentence
plain

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Others report that some online fitness regimes are just plain silly.Not that it will be plain sailing from here on.The film makes plain all kinds of details we may have missed or forgotten. Odd earrings add an instant hint of quirk to a plain white shirt. Last season was far from plain sailing.But their import was plain enough.But much of it is plain wrong and it's time to end a few myths.Sometimes they'll just plain rip us off.This is just criminality plain and simple.We had talked about marriage before and how we would want to keep it plain and simple.