plainly
gb/plˈeɪnli/ us/plˈeɪnli/
B1
Englisch
~ 2300
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
adverb
B1
property
1
In a clear and direct way
In a way that is easy to understand and honest.
Verwendungsmuster:
to say [something] plainly
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners sometimes confuse 'plainly' with 'simply' in all contexts; 'plainly' usually refers to clarity or honesty rather than ease or lack of complexity.
Synonyme
clearly (Very close in meaning, but 'clearly' can also refer to physical visibility or logical structure, not just directness of speech.)
|
directly (Similar in meaning, but can also imply physical direction or immediacy.)
Antonyme
vaguely (Means in an unclear or imprecise way, the opposite of speaking plainly.)
Wortverbindungen
speak plainly
|state plainly
|explain plainly
|put plainly
Themen
communication
|clarity
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- She spoke plainly so that everyone could understand her.
- He told me plainly that he was not interested.
- The report stated plainly that the plan had failed.
Beispiele für Lernende
- She said it plainly.
- He told me plainly.
- The teacher spoke plainly to the class.
adverb
B2
property
2
Without decoration or adornment
In a simple way, without extra decoration.
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners may overuse this sense when they mean 'clearly'; context determines whether it's about style/appearance or clarity.
Synonyme
simply (Can mean without decoration, but also means 'merely' or 'only' in other contexts.)
Antonyme
elaborately (Means with many details or decorations, the opposite of plainly in this sense.)
Wortverbindungen
plainly dressed
|plainly decorated
|plainly furnished
Themen
appearance
|style
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- The room was plainly furnished with a table and two chairs.
- She was plainly dressed in a plain white shirt and jeans.
- The ceremony was conducted plainly, without any pomp.
Beispiele für Lernende
- The room is plainly decorated.
- He is plainly dressed.
- The house is plainly built.
Grammatik
Grundform
plainly
IPA
GB/plˈeɪnli/
US/plˈeɪnli/
Silben & Betonung
plainly (1 Silbe)
Stress on 1st syllable (plainly)
Wortformen
Noun
- Base: plainly
- Plural: plainlies
Wortfamilie
Forms
plainlies
noun
Core family
plain
adjective A2
plainness
noun
Ausdrücke
plainly speaking
1/plˈeɪnli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Speaking in a clear and direct way
Saying something in a way that is clear and honest.
Beispiele
- Plainly speaking, this project will fail without more funding.
- Plainly speaking, I don't trust him.
to put it plainly
1/tə pˈʊt ˈɪt plˈeɪnli/
fixed phrase
State something simply and directly
To say something in a clear and simple way so it is easy to understand.
Beispiele
- To put it plainly, we can't afford it.
- To put it plainly, she doesn't like you.