plain
plain Lexical Profile
plain Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not decorated or elaborate; simple or basic in character, design, or appearance.
"She wore a plain white blouse with no jewelry to the interview."
Easy to perceive or understand; clear, obvious, or unmistakable.
"The warning signs were written in plain English so that every visitor could understand them."
Expressed directly and candidly without evasion, flattery, or disguise.
"Let me be plain with you about the financial risks involved in this venture."
Lacking striking beauty or distinction in physical appearance; ordinary-looking.
"In the novel, the heroine describes herself as a plain, unassuming governess."
• noun
A large expanse of flat, relatively treeless land with low relief, typically found in continental interiors or along coasts.
"Herds of bison once roamed freely across the vast grassy plains of North America."
A basic knitting stitch produced by passing the yarn from the back to the front of the fabric; a knit stitch.
"The scarf pattern alternates between rows of plain and purl to create a ribbed texture."
• adverb
Simply; unmistakably; utterly (used informally for emphasis before an adjective or noun).
"Leaving the keys inside the locked car was just plain careless."
In a clear, direct, or intelligible manner.
"Speak plain so that everyone in the council chamber can understand your proposal."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with its homophone 'plane'; 'plain' refers to flat land or something simple and unadorned, whereas 'plane' refers to a flat geometric surface, an aircraft, or a woodworking tool.
• Rhymes for plain
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'plain', from Latin 'planus' meaning 'flat, level, or clear', derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *pele- meaning 'flat' or 'to spread'.