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plain

plain

 
 
pronunciation:
pleIn
parts of speech:
adjective, adverb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: plainer, plainest
definition 1: easily perceived by the eye or ear; clear; unobstructed.
We have a plain view of the lake from our window.
synonyms:
apparent, clear, clear-cut, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, unobstructed, visible
antonyms:
obscure, unclear
similar words:
broad, conspicuous, discernible, noticeable, perceivable, perceptible, unconcealed, unmistakable
definition 2: clearly perceivable or understandable; distinctly evident.
It was plain to all of us that she was very upset.He didn't express it in words, but his meaning was quite plain.
synonyms:
apparent, clear, distinct, evident, manifest, obvious, unmistakable, visible
antonyms:
abstruse, unapparent, unclear
similar words:
broad, clear-cut, comprehensible, discernible, explicit, intelligible, ostensive, palpable, perceptible, straightforward, understandable
definition 3: not complicated or elaborate; without extra additions; simple.
How can you eat plain toast?Her sister's wedding dress had had a great deal of lace and decoration, but hers was simple and plain.
synonyms:
bare, simple, stark, unadorned, unembellished
antonyms:
elaborate, fancy, florid, flowery, gaudy, high-flown, ornate, sumptuous
similar words:
austere, bald, chaste, commonplace, homely, homespun, literal, modest, naked, ordinary, primitive, sober, uncomplicated, unostentatious, unpretentious, unsophisticated, unvarnished
definition 4: sincere and open; frank.
Let me be plain with you.
synonyms:
frank, genuine, ingenuous, open, plain-spoken, sincere, straightforward
similar words:
candid, direct, explicit, forthright, guileless, homely, matter-of-fact, outspoken
definition 5: not attractive or striking in appearance.
Her face was rather plain without makeup.
synonyms:
homely
antonyms:
attractive, handsome, pretty, showy
similar words:
ill-favored, mousy, unattractive
definition 6: sheer; utter.
What you just said is plain nonsense!They're making their choice out of plain ignorance.That is nothing but a plain lie!
synonyms:
arrant, categorical, downright, out-and-out, outright, patent, plumb, unmitigated, utter
similar words:
absolute, blatant, complete, palpable, sheer, thoroughgoing, total
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adverb
definition: simply; undeniably.
He's plain wrong about that.That idea is just plain stupid.
synonyms:
clearly, flat, incontestable, indisputable, simply, undeniably, unquestionably
similar words:
certainly, definitely, distinctly, doubtless, doubtlessly, flat-out, positively, surely
 
part of speech: noun
definition: (sometimes pl.) a large, flat area of land sometimes covered with long grass but usually with few or no trees.
Buffalo roamed the western plains.
synonyms:
champaign, flatland, prairie
similar words:
grassland, llano, lowland, moor, pampas, steppe, tableland, tundra
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: plainly (adv.), plainness (n.)
Homophone Note
Are you looking for the word plane? Plain and plane sound alike but have different meanings.
Word Explorer
some animals that live on plains
some kinds of plains
some plants that live on plains