Meaning & use
plain
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Simple and without decoration; not fancy or complicated.
Grammar: Gradable adjective: plainer, plainest.
Patterns
- plain clothes
- a plain design
- plain food
She wore a plain white shirt with no pattern.
The room was plain but comfortable, with just a bed and a chair.
He prefers plain food without too many spices.
adjectivecomparable
Easy to understand; clear and not complicated.
Grammar: Gradable adjective: plainer, plainest.
Patterns
- plain English
- plain language
- make something plain
The instructions are written in plain English so everyone can follow them.
Let me make my position plain: I do not support this plan.
Her explanation was plain and direct.
adjectivecomparable
Not beautiful or attractive; ordinary in appearance.
Grammar: Gradable adjective: plainer, plainest.
Patterns
- a plain face
- plain looks
- rather plain
He was a plain man with a kind smile.
She thought her sister was prettier, while she felt plain.
The building is plain but solid.
nouncountable
A large area of flat land with few trees.
Grammar: Countable noun: a plain, the plains.
Patterns
- the plains of Africa
- open plains
- on the plain
Herds of wildebeest migrate across the plains.
The house stands alone on a wide plain.
The river flows through the fertile plain.
Word forms
| comparative | plainer |
|---|---|
| superlative | plainest |
| plural | plains |
Common combinations
- plain clothes
- The detective was in plain clothes, so no one knew he was a police officer.
- plain English
- The contract is written in plain English, not legal jargon.
- plain sailing
- Once we got the permit, the rest of the project was plain sailing.
- plain truth
- The plain truth is that we cannot afford a new car.
Synonyms and how they differ
- simple
- Focuses on lack of complexity; 'plain' often also suggests lack of decoration or attractiveness.
- clear
- Emphasizes easy understanding; 'plain' can mean both clear and unadorned.
- ordinary
- Means not special or unusual; 'plain' can imply a lack of decoration or beauty.
Opposites
Word family
- plainly adverb
- In a clear and simple way; also means obviously.
- plainness noun
- The quality of being simple or without decoration.
Commonly confused: plain or plane?
plain vs plane
A plane is an airplane or a flat surface; 'plain' is simple or a flat area of land. They sound the same but are spelled differently.
Practice
The teacher explained the rule in ______ English so that all the students could understand.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'plain' is used before a noun to mean simple and clear. 'Plane' is a different word (airplane or flat surface). 'Plainly' is an adverb, and 'plainer' is a comparative adjective, which would not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “plain”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.