WordLens

plain

1 of 4adjective
/pleɪn/
Forms:plainer,plainest
1

simple and without complex details

  • The room was decorated in a plain style, with minimal furniture and neutral colors.
  • The packaging of the product was plain, with simple fonts and minimal graphics.
  • The cake was plain, with no frosting or decorations, but it tasted delicious.
  • The house had a plain exterior, with no decorative features or architectural flourishes.
  • Her hairstyle was plain, with a simple ponytail tied at the back.
Synonyms:
unsophisticatedseverespareaustereminimalsimpleunembellishedminimaliststarkunadorneddryundecoratedspartan
Antonyms:
fancy
2

(of a person) unattractive and ordinary

  • He was often described as plain, with no remarkable features to draw attention.
  • She had a plain look, but her kind personality made her stand out.
  • In a room full of glamorous people, she felt plain and unremarkable.
  • Despite being plain, he had a certain charm that others found appealing.
  • The model's plain appearance was a contrast to the extravagant styles of her peers.
Synonyms:
homely
3

characterized by straightforwardness

C1
  • She appreciated his plain advice, even though it was difficult to hear.
  • The manager's plain feedback helped the team understand what needed to improve.
  • She gave a plain answer to the reporter's question, without any sugar-coating.
  • His plain speech made it clear what he truly felt.
  • The report provided a plain account of the events, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
Synonyms:
freedownrighthoneststraightforwardupfrontout frontbluntexplicitforthrightcandidfrankdirectopenfree-spoken
4

easily understood without ambiguity or complexity

  • The differences between the two proposals were plain and easily discernible.
  • The benefits of regular exercise are plain to see in her improved health.
  • His enthusiasm for the project was plain during the presentation.
  • The solution to the problem became plain after discussing it with the team.
  • It was plain that they needed to adjust their strategy to achieve better results.
Synonyms:
graspableunderstandableapprehensiblecomprehensibleevidentmanifestpalpableperceivablebroadapparentunequivocaltransparentcrystal clearobviousperspicuouspellucidluminousintelligibleclearaccessibleunambiguouslucidluculentexplicitstraightunmistakablestraightforwardvisiblelimpidpatent
5

clearly expressed in written or spoken form, without the use of technical or obscure terms

  • The manual was written in plain language, making it accessible to all users.
  • Her plain explanation of the legal terms helped everyone understand the contract.
  • The article was praised for its plain English, allowing readers to grasp complex ideas easily.
  • He preferred plain speech, avoiding jargon to communicate effectively.
  • The teacher provided a plain summary of the lesson, ensuring all students could follow along.
Synonyms:
unvarnishedbasicmeresimplebare
6

(of a paper) without lines or markings

  • She used plain paper for her sketches, allowing her creativity to flow freely.
  • The letter was written on plain stationery, giving it a classic look.
  • He preferred plain paper for printing, as it made the text easy to read.
  • The artist chose plain paper for the watercolor, ensuring the colors would stand out.
  • The notebook had plain pages, ideal for jotting down ideas without distraction.
7

with no labels or indications of contents

  • She placed the gift in a plain box to keep the surprise a secret.
  • The donation was made in a plain envelope, ensuring anonymity.
  • He sent the letter in a plain envelope, avoiding any identifiable markings.
  • The organization requested contributions in plain packaging to maintain confidentiality.
  • The items were stored in a plain container, preventing anyone from knowing what was inside.
8

(of a person's personality) unpretentious and lacking in complexity or embellishment

  • She had a plain personality, being genuine and down-to-earth with everyone.
  • His plain demeanor made it easy for others to relate to him.
  • Despite her plain personality, she had a warm and welcoming presence.
  • He appreciated her plain nature, free from pretense or affectation.
  • Their plain character shone through in their honest and simple interactions.
Synonyms:
unassuming
9

(of a person) without any special title or status

  • For the meeting, she referred to him as plain Tom, emphasizing his humility.
  • He was known as plain Jane, a friend without any pretensions.
  • At the event, he introduced himself as plain Joe, avoiding any formalities.
  • She enjoyed being just plain Sarah, free from the pressures of status.
  • In the small town, he was known simply as plain Mike, a man of the people.
10

used for emphasis to indicate something that is sheer or straightforward

  • The main challenge we face is just plain ignorance of the facts.
  • His feelings for her were just plain love, nothing complicated about it.
  • The results were just plain disappointing after all the hard work.
  • Her reaction was just plain shock when she heard the news.
  • The reason for the delay was just plain laziness on the part of the team.
Synonyms:
arrantabsolutecategoricalunreservedunmitigatedblankunequivocalmain
11

without anything extra, simple, or unmodified

  • She prefers her coffee plain, with no sugar or milk.
  • The document was written in plain language for easy understanding.
  • He wore a plain white T-shirt with no designs or logos.
  • The room was decorated in plain colors, without any patterns.
  • The instructions were plain and straightforward, with no unnecessary details.