plain
gb/plˈeɪn/ us/plˈeɪn/
A2
English
~ 3300
nyilvánvaló, egyértelmű, világos, egyszerű, dísztelen, sima, síkság, sík vidék, natúr, ízesítetlen
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is plain
It was plain that she was upset.
Nyilvánvaló volt, hogy feldúlt.
The reason for his decision is plain to everyone.
Döntésének oka mindenki számára nyilvánvaló.
From his tone, it was plain he was angry.
Learner examples
It is plain that he is tired.
Nyilvánvaló, hogy fáradt.
The answer is plain to me.
Számomra egyértelmű a válasz.
Her face made it plain she was sad.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'plain' with 'plane', which is a completely different word meaning an aircraft or a flat surface.
Meaning
Clear and easy to understand
Collocations
plain fact
|plain truth
|plain meaning
|plain answer
Synonyms
clear (Almost identical in meaning, but 'clear' can also refer to physical transparency or absence of obstruction.)
Antonyms
unclear (Direct opposite, meaning not easy to understand or see.)
Themes
communication
|understanding
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Easy to understand; clear to see or know.
Easy to see, recognize, or understand; obvious.
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is plain
She wore a plain black dress.
Egyszerű fekete ruhát viselt.
The walls were painted a plain white.
A falakat sima fehérre festették.
He prefers plain food without spices.
Learner examples
I have a plain shirt.
Van egy egyszerű ingem.
The room is plain and small.
A szoba egyszerű és kicsi.
She eats plain bread.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'plain' with 'plan', which refers to an arrangement or intention.
Meaning
Simple and without decoration
Collocations
plain dress
|plain room
|plain style
|plain food
Synonyms
simple (Very similar, but 'simple' can refer to ease of use or complexity as well as appearance.)
Antonyms
fancy (Opposite in terms of decoration and elaborateness.)
Themes
appearance
|design
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Simple and not beautiful or decorated.
Not decorated or elaborate; having no special features.
NOUN
B1
3
Herds of bison roamed the open plains.
Bölénycsordák járták a nyílt síkságokat.
The city lies on a vast plain.
A város egy hatalmas síkságon fekszik.
Farmers grow wheat on the fertile plains.
Learner examples
We crossed the plain by car.
Autóval átszeltük a síkságot.
The plain is very big and flat.
A síkság nagyon nagy és lapos.
Many animals live on the plain.
Common mistake:
Some learners may confuse 'plain' with 'plane', especially in writing.
Meaning
Large flat treeless area
Collocations
grassy plain
|vast plain
|open plain
Synonyms
grassland (Similar, but 'grassland' emphasizes vegetation type rather than flatness.)
Antonyms
mountain (Opposite in terms of terrain elevation and shape.)
Themes
geography
|nature
Definition
A big flat area of land with no trees.
A large area of flat land with few trees, often covered in grass.
A2
4
Usage pattern:
[food/drink] is plain
I prefer plain yogurt to the sweetened kind.
Jobban szeretem a natúr joghurtot, mint az édesített változatot.
Please bring me a glass of plain water.
Kérem, hozzon nekem egy pohár sima vizet.
She ordered a burger with plain fries.
Learner examples
I like plain milk.
Szeretem a sima tejet.
He eats plain rice every day.
Mindennap sima rizst eszik.
She drinks plain tea.
Meaning
Without added flavor or extras
Collocations
plain yogurt
|plain rice
|plain water
Synonyms
natural ('Natural' can imply no artificial changes, while 'plain' focuses on absence of additions.)
Antonyms
flavored (Contains added flavorings or ingredients.)
Themes
food
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
Without anything added to it.
Without any added substances, flavorings, or extras.
Grammar
Dictionary form
plain
IPA
GB/plˈeɪn/
US/plˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
plain (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (plain)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: plain
- Comparative: plainer
- Superlative: plainest
Noun
- Base: plain
- Plural: plains
Word family
Forms
plains
noun
plainer
adjective
plainest
adjective
Core family
plainly
adverb B1
Advanced or less common
plainness
noun
Expressions
in plain sight
1/ˈɪn plˈeɪn sˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
Clearly visible and not hidden
Easy to see; not hidden.
Examples
- The keys were in plain sight on the table.
- The mistake was in plain sight, but no one noticed.
make it plain
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt plˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
State something clearly and directly
Say something in a clear way so people understand.
Examples
- She made it plain that she disagreed with the plan.
- He made it plain that he wanted more money.
plain and simple
1/plˈeɪn ˈænd sˈɪmpəl/
fixed phrase
Obvious and uncomplicated truth
Used to say that something is very clear and simple to understand.
Examples
- It was a lie, plain and simple.
- They broke the rules, plain and simple.