1
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments
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Relevance
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2
as in pure
free from added matter
I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else
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3
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful
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4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a plain report on the current situation
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5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
let me make my meaning plain
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as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
told her plain that he loved her
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1
as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins
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2
as in expanse
a wide space or area
the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plain
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Released towards the tail end of the C7 generation, the original RS 6 Avant Performance was a true speed machine, plain and simple.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2026
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
Along the shore of the Tethys Ocean, a herd of prosauropod dinosaurs walks across an extensive muddy carbonate plain during low tide.
—CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Think heli-safaris over volcanic terrain, luxury trains crossing high-altitude plains, wildlife encounters that prioritize access and ethics, and multi-day hikes paired with top-tier lodges and exceptional food.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
Going there is just plain fun, too.
—Adverb
Removing Stains From Bathtubs Stains in your bathtub can occur due to a variety of reasons, including rusting (if the tub is made of iron or steel), mold, mildew, dirt, residue from hard water and soap scum, or just plain old aging.
—Noun
Sussman had opposed that project due to its likely impact on nearby homes and the fact that the land was in a flood plain.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
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This simple taupe geometric style peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to apply, and looks gorgeous without being too bold or loud.—
-
The simple addition of zipper detailing adds a preppy energy to the top.—
Adjective
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Just the pure joy of motion and music.—
-
That verisimilitude functioned as a solvent, lending credibility and urgency to elements of the show that might otherwise register as pure cheese; the medical realism and sentimental flourishes were mutually reinforcing.—
Adjective
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Then there’s reality TV star Spencer Pratt, an outspoken Bass critic, who launched a campaign rooted in his fury over the city’s handling of the fire — and the loss of his family’s home in the flames.—
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The outspoken auteur, considered one of Iranian cinema’s greatest living masters, is still in the crosshairs of the government known as the Islamic Republic of Iran.—
Adjective
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In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.—
-
The route is straightforward — but only for those who plan their travel through the independent ferry system in advance.—
Adjective
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The proximity to Lincoln Center was an obvious draw for musicians, and renters included an avant-garde composer on the sixth floor, a bassist on the fourth, and an opera teacher on the ground level.—
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After successfully training rookie Jackson West, Angela sets her sights on becoming a detective while trying to ignore her obvious chemistry with defense attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore).—
Adverb
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Combs says another reason younger generations are so susceptible to this is because they were raised in households where money was rarely openly discussed, leaving them ill-equipped to ask direct financial questions or understand whether they’re financially aligned with their partner early on.—
-
Activists and Iranians in the country are painting a different picture, saying security forces are openly brandishing military rifles and shooting civilians.—
Noun
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More is at stake than preserving the singular beauty of the sawgrass prairies of Everglades National Park or cypress swamps of the Big Cypress National Preserve.—
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The rolling prairie outside the single-story clapboard home is where Lonny learned from their grandfather how to break horses.—
Noun
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Large expanses of seats were unused during the third-bottom home side’s 2-1 defeat to Forest, who are in 17th place, on Tuesday.—
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Trudging across six lanes of highway, and expanses of parking lot, to reach Soldier Field never had many fans, but there is zero romance in this new spot.—
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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