plain

adjective

UK /pleɪn/

Word Forms

adjective	plain
comparative	plainer
superlative	plainest

1
easily seen or understood
Hugh’s message was short, but the meaning was plain enough.
it is plain (that):
It was plain that they knew each other already.
it is plain to someone (that):
It was plain to everyone that Maude was not happy.
make it plain:
Therese made it plain that she would not help Robert any more.
be plain to see:
Her disappointment was plain to see.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
obvious
apparent
show up
Synonyms and related words
Obvious
obvious
clear
significant
2
simple in design, with no decoration
a plain wooden table
The gardens were fairly plain, with few plants.
a plain white T-shirt
We sell a selection of plain and patterned ties.
Synonyms and related words
Undecorated
plain
simple
functional
1. 2a
  plain food is simple and does not have a lot of things added to it
  a plain sponge cake
  plain yoghurt
  The restaurant serves plain wholesome food.
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe the state or consistency of food
  buttery
  calorific
  caramelised
2. 2b
  not very attractive
  He seems to go for plain quiet women.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ugly or not attractive
  ugly
  grim
  unattractive
3. 2c
  only before nounused before a name for saying that someone does not have a special title or name
  It’s just plain Mr Cunningham now, no need to call me Doctor.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to names and the process of naming
  after
  assignment
  better known as
3
expressing what you think honestly, using simple, direct language
a plain answer
plain speaking/talking:
She was admired for her plain speaking.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe honest and sincere people and behaviour
honest
sincere
fine

phrases

(as) plain as the nose on your face

make something plain/make yourself plain

plain English/language/wording

the plain fact/truth is

plain old

plain and simple

plain stupidity/luck etc

plain

adjective

US /pleɪn/

Word Forms

adjective	plain
comparative	plainer
superlative	plainest

1
easily seen or understood
Hugh’s message was short, but the meaning was plain enough.
it is plain (that):
It was plain that they knew each other already.
it is plain to someone (that):
It was plain to everyone that Maude was not happy.
make it plain:
Teresa made it plain that she would not help Robert any more.
be plain to see:
Her disappointment was plain to see.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
pin-sharp
obvious
apparent
Synonyms and related words
Obvious
obvious
clear
significant
2
simple in design, with no decoration
a plain wooden table
The flower gardens were fairly plain, with few plants.
a plain white T-shirt
We sell a selection of plain and patterned ties.
Synonyms and related words
Undecorated
plain
simple
functional
1. 2a
  plain food is simple and does not have a lot of things added to it
  a plain hamburger
  plain yogurt
  The restaurant serves plain wholesome food.
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe the state or consistency of food
  buttery
  calorific
  caramelized
2. 2b
  not very attractive
  He seems to be attracted to plain quiet women.
  Synonyms and related words
  Ugly or not attractive
  ugly
  grim
  unattractive
3. 2c
  only before nounused before a name for saying that someone does not have a special title or name
  It’s just plain Mr. Cunningham now, no need to call me Doctor.
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to names and the process of naming
  after
  assignment
  better known as
3
expressing what you think honestly, using simple, direct language
a plain answer
plain speaking/talking:
She was admired for her plain speaking.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe honest and sincere people and behavior
honest
sincere
fine

phrases

(as) plain as the nose on your face

make something plain/make yourself plain

plain English/language/wording

the plain fact/truth is

plain old

plain and simple

plain stupidity/luck etc.

plain

adverb

UK /pleɪn/

Word Forms

comparative	plainer
superlative	plainest

1
used for emphasizing that someone or something has a particular negative quality
It was just plain stupid of him to get involved.
That’s just plain crazy!
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing how bad something is
utterly
sadly
hopelessly
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with plain
▪ crazy, daft, rude, selfish, silly, stupid, wrong

plain

adverb

US /pleɪn/

Word Forms

comparative	plainer
superlative	plainest

1
used for emphasizing that someone or something has a particular negative quality
It was just plain stupid of him to get involved.
That’s just plain crazy!
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing how bad something is
utterly
sadly
hopelessly
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with plain
▪ crazy, rude, selfish, silly, stupid, wrong

plain

noun

UK /pleɪn/

Word Forms

singular	plain
plural	plains

1

plain
or
plains
countable a large flat area of land
the vast plains in the central states of the US
the Serengeti Plains in East Africa
Synonyms and related words
Large areas of land
field
highveld
land mass
2
uncountable Britishthe ordinary basic stitch in knitting
Synonyms and related words
Knitting and crochet
cable stitch
cast off
cast on

plain

noun countable

US /pleɪn/

Word Forms

singular	plain
plural	plains

1

plain
or
plains
a large flat area of land
the vast plains in the central states of the U.S.
the Serengeti Plains in East Africa
Synonyms and related words
Large areas of land
field
highveld
land mass

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