plain Hear it!

plain¹ Definition

plain (plān)

adjective

  1. Obsolete flat; level; plane
  2. free from obstructions; open; clear in plain view
  3. clearly understood; evident; obvious to make one's meaning plain
    1. outspoken; frank; straightforward plain talk
    2. downright; thoroughgoing plain nonsense
  5. not luxurious or ornate; unembellished a plain coat
  6. not complicated; simple plain sewing
  7. not good-looking; homely a plain face
  8. not figured, dyed, or twilled plain cloth
  9. pure; unmixed plain soda
  10. not of high rank or position; such as characterizes the common people; ordinary a plain man

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

noun

an extent of level country

adverb

clearly or simply just plain tired

plain¹ Related Forms

plain′ly adverb plain′·ness noun

plain² Definition

plain (plān)

intransitive verb

Now Chiefly Dial. to complain

Etymology: ME pleynen < OFr plaindre < L plangere: see plaint

plain Synonyms

plain

modif.

  1. Obvious

    open, manifest, clear; see definite 1, 2, obvious 1, 2, understandable.

  2. Simple

    unadorned, unostentatious, unpretentious; see modest 2.

  3. Ordinary

    everyday, average, commonplace; see common 1, conventional 1, 3, dull 4, traditional 2.

  4. Homely

    plain-featured, coarse-featured, unattractive; see ugly 1.

  5. In blunt language

    outspoken, candid, frank, plain-spoken, impolite; see also abrupt 2, frank, rude 2. See syn. study at obvious.

plain Synonyms

plain

n.

prairie, steppe, pampas, champaign, reach, expanse, open country, lowland, flat, level land, mesa, savanna, llano, moorland, moor, heath, wold, steppe, tundra, playa, veldt, downs, peneplain, the High Plains; see also field 1, meadow.

plain Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • roam: The last aurochs roamed the plains of Northern Europe about 1627.
  • overlook: Here, as everywhere in Western France, the Germans occupy the first low ranges of hills which overlook the plains.
  • bound: An hour previously, veiled in heavy clouds, the sun had sunk below the horizon that bounded the plain beyond the Shelif.

Adjective modifier

  • fertile: Fertile alluvial flood plains have been cleared for agriculture, making alluvial forest a threatened habitat at a European scale.
  • alluvial: Fertile alluvial flood plains have been cleared for agriculture, making alluvial forest a threatened habitat at a European scale.
  • coastal: The main chain of the Andes runs from west to east, leaving a narrow coastal plain.
  • grassy: Savannah grasslands - Hot, dry grassy plains that often support large numbers of grazing herd animals.
  • arid: Valdepeñas An outcrop of gently hilly land in the flat, arid plains of central Spain, south of Madrid.
  • dusty: They found themselves near Maiwand, an Afghan village on a desiccated dusty open plain with shade temperatures approaching 120 degrees.

Modifies a noun

  • flour: To make the pastry, weigh out an amount of flour ( say 6 ounces of plain flour ).
  • sailing: The global roll-out has not all been plain sailing, however.
  • English: Written in plain English, with the minimum of jargon, the guide is designed to allow the user to defend their privacy.
  • text: Elements can contain plain text, other elements, or both.
  • speaking: Also, predominantly in the U.S.A. , plain speaking.
  • radiograph: If megaoesophagus is not visible on plain radiographs a barium swallow should be performed as this significantly improves detection.

Noun used with modifier

  • flood: Much of the development area is on the flood plain, which will put London at greater risk.
  • savannah: The coastal area has navigable lagoons, behind which is the rain forest with savannah plains and sandstone plateaux to the north.
  • gravel: There are rocky caves and reefs, massive sandbanks and vast gravel plains, each with their own range of wildlife.
  • river: In addition, the river plains are intensively farmed.
  • grass: Game viewing vehicles descend the steep crater wall every morning and spend the day on grass plains that are teeming with animals.