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plain (adjective)
Plain has a number of meanings. Depending on context, it can mean clear, simple, direct, ordinary, undecorated, lacking a pattern, and unattractive.
- The problems were plain to see, and we knew exactly what needed changing.
(= clear) - She wore a plain blue dress. It was very simple with no pattern.
Check out collocations
- a plain room
(= with no decoration) - a plain dress
(= with no pattern) - plain paper
(= with no lines or writing on it) - a plain face
(= not especially attractive) - plain food
(= simple, with no special seasoning) - plain speaking
(= telling the truth in a simple, honest way) - plain common sense
(= simple, clear)
Check out these expressions
- You must understand now! It's as plain as the nose on your face.
(= it's very obvious) - Once you have studied for the first exam, the rest of the course is plain sailing.
(= very easy) - Could you say that in plain English, please? I didn't understand a word.
(= in simple, clear English) - Driving when drunk is plain stupid.
(= completely stupid – here plain is an adverb) - The man at the bar is a plain clothes policeman.
(= a policeman on duty but not in uniform)
Note that the noun, a plain, means a flat piece of land, but the adjective plain means simple, not flat.
- The countryside is very flat. There are no hills.
- The countryside is very hilly, and very plain. There are no trees.
Check out these related words
- clear
- simple
- direct
- flat
- ordinary
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