plainly
gb/plˈeɪnli/ us/plˈeɪnli/
B1
English
~ 2300
világosan, egyértelműen, kertelés nélkül, egyszerűen, dísztelenül
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to say [something] plainly
She spoke plainly so that everyone could understand her.
Világosan beszélt, hogy mindenki megértse, amit mond.
He told me plainly that he was not interested.
Kertelés nélkül megmondta nekem, hogy nem érdekli a dolog.
The report stated plainly that the plan had failed.
Learner examples
She said it plainly.
Világosan mondta el.
He told me plainly.
Kertelés nélkül megmondta nekem.
The teacher spoke plainly to the class.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'plainly' with 'simply' in all contexts; 'plainly' usually refers to clarity or honesty rather than ease or lack of complexity.
Meaning
In a clear and direct way
Collocations
speak plainly
|state plainly
|explain plainly
|put plainly
Synonyms
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.)
Antonyms
vaguely (Means in an unclear or imprecise way, the opposite of speaking plainly.)
Themes
communication
|clarity
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that is easy to understand and honest.
In a way that is easy to understand and without any attempt to hide the truth or meaning.
B2
2
egyszerűen
A2
dísztelenül
B2
The room was plainly furnished with a table and two chairs.
A szoba egyszerűen volt berendezve: egy asztal és két szék állt benne.
She was plainly dressed in a plain white shirt and jeans.
Egyszerűen volt öltözve: sima fehér inget és farmert viselt.
The ceremony was conducted plainly, without any pomp.
Learner examples
The room is plainly decorated.
A szoba egyszerűen van díszítve.
He is plainly dressed.
Egyszerűen van felöltözve.
The house is plainly built.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense when they mean 'clearly'; context determines whether it's about style/appearance or clarity.
Meaning
Without decoration or adornment
Collocations
plainly dressed
|plainly decorated
|plainly furnished
Synonyms
simply (Can mean without decoration, but also means 'merely' or 'only' in other contexts.)
Antonyms
elaborately (Means with many details or decorations, the opposite of plainly in this sense.)
Themes
appearance
|style
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a simple way, without extra decoration.
In a way that is simple and lacking decoration or adornment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
plainly
IPA
GB/plˈeɪnli/
US/plˈeɪnli/
Syllables & stress
plainly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (plainly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: plainly
- Plural: plainlies
Word family
Forms
plainlies
noun
Core family
plain
adjective A2
plainness
noun
Expressions
plainly speaking
1/plˈeɪnli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Speaking in a clear and direct way
Saying something in a way that is clear and honest.
Examples
- 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.
Examples
- To put it plainly, we can't afford it.
- To put it plainly, she doesn't like you.