Plain definition
Not figured, dyed, or twilled.
Plain cloth.
adjective
Clearly understood; evident; obvious.
To make one's meaning plain.
adjective
Not complicated; simple.
Plain sewing.
adjective
Pure; unmixed.
Plain soda.
adjective
Neither good-looking nor ugly.
A well-dressed woman with a rather plain face.
adjective
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An extensive, level, usually treeless area of land.
noun
Clearly or simply.
Just plain tired.
adverb
Sheer; utter; unqualified.
Plain stupidity.
adjective
Not luxurious or ornate; unembellished.
A plain coat.
adjective
Straightforward; frank or candid.
Plain talk.
adjective
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Something free of ornamentation or extraneous matter.
noun
Outspoken; frank; straightforward.
Plain talk.
adjective
An extent of relatively level country with few trees; prairie, steppe, etc.
noun
Marked by little or no ornamentation or decoration.
Plain garb.
adjective
Not pretentious; unaffected.
adjective
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Lacking beauty or distinction.
A plain face.
adjective
A broad level expanse, as a part of the sea floor or a lunar mare.
noun
Not of high rank or position; such as characterizes the common people; ordinary.
A plain man.
adjective
Downright; thoroughgoing.
Plain nonsense.
adjective
(now chiefly dial.) To complain.
verb
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An extensive, relatively level area of land. Plains are present on all continents except Antarctica and are most often located in the interior regions. Because they can occur at almost any altitude or latitude, plains can be humid and forested, semiarid and grass-covered, or arid.
A broad, level expanse, such as an area of the sea floor or a lunar mare.
Simple.
- He was dressed simply in plain black clothes.A plain tune.
- A plain pink polycotton skirt.
- Simple in habits or qualities; unsophisticated, not exceptional, ordinary. [from 16th c.]They're just plain people like you or me.
- (of food) Having only few ingredients, or no additional ingredients or seasonings; not elaborate, without toppings or extras. [from 17th c.]Would you like a poppy bagel or a plain bagel?.
- (computing) Containing no extended or nonprinting characters (especially in plain text). [from 20th c.]
adjective
Free from obstructions; open; clear.
In plain view.
adjective
Free from obstructions; open; clear.
In plain view.
adjective
Not dyed, twilled, or patterned.
A plain fabric.
adjective
(archaic) Having no visible elevation or depression; flat; level.
adjective
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Not elaborate or complicated; simple.
Plain food.
adjective
Not unusually beautiful; unattractive. [from 17th c.]
Throughout high school she worried that she had a rather plain face.
adjective
Clearly; simply.
Plain stubborn.
adverb
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(obs.) Flat; level; plane.
adjective
Obvious to the perception or mind; evident.
Make one's intention plain.
adjective
Common in rank or station; average; ordinary.
A plain man.
adjective
The definition of plain is clearly understood, obvious, simple or not complicated.
An example of plain is using basic language to describe something.
An example of plain is unflavored yogurt.
An example of plain is a woman without make-up.
adjective
Not mixed with other substances; pure.
Plain water.
adjective
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
plain
Plural:
PlainsAdjective
Base Form:
plain
Comparative:
plainer
Superlative:
plainestOrigin of plain
- Middle English from Old French from Latin plānus pelə-2 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Anglo-Norman plainer, pleiner, variant of Anglo-Norman and Old French pleindre, plaindre, from Latin plangere, present active infinitive of plangō.
From Wiktionary
- From Anglo-Norman pleyn, playn, Middle French plain, plein, from Latin plānus (“flat, even, level, plain").
From Wiktionary
- From Old French plain, from Latin plānum (“level ground, a plain"), neuter substantive from plānus (“level, even, flat").
From Wiktionary