plain
gb/plˈeɪn/ us/plˈeɪn/
A2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Clear and easy to understand
Easy to understand; clear to see or know.
Usage pattern:
[something] is plain
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'plain' with 'plane', which is a completely different word meaning an aircraft or a flat surface.
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.)
Collocations
plain fact
|plain truth
|plain meaning
|plain answer
Themes
communication
|understanding
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It was plain that she was upset.
- The reason for his decision is plain to everyone.
- From his tone, it was plain he was angry.
Learner examples
- It is plain that he is tired.
- The answer is plain to me.
- Her face made it plain she was sad.
adjective
A2
property
2
Simple and without decoration
Simple and not beautiful or decorated.
Usage pattern:
[something] is plain
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'plain' with 'plan', which refers to an arrangement or intention.
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.)
Collocations
plain dress
|plain room
|plain style
|plain food
Themes
appearance
|design
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She wore a plain black dress.
- The walls were painted a plain white.
- He prefers plain food without spices.
Learner examples
- I have a plain shirt.
- The room is plain and small.
- She eats plain bread.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Large flat treeless area
A big flat area of land with no trees.
Common mistake:
Some learners may confuse 'plain' with 'plane', especially in writing.
Synonyms
grassland (Similar, but 'grassland' emphasizes vegetation type rather than flatness.)
Antonyms
mountain (Opposite in terms of terrain elevation and shape.)
Collocations
grassy plain
|vast plain
|open plain
Themes
geography
|nature
Examples
- Herds of bison roamed the open plains.
- The city lies on a vast plain.
- Farmers grow wheat on the fertile plains.
Learner examples
- We crossed the plain by car.
- The plain is very big and flat.
- Many animals live on the plain.
adjective
A2
property
4
Without added flavor or extras
Without anything added to it.
Usage pattern:
[food/drink] is plain
Synonyms
natural ('Natural' can imply no artificial changes, while 'plain' focuses on absence of additions.)
Antonyms
flavored (Contains added flavorings or ingredients.)
Collocations
plain yogurt
|plain rice
|plain water
Themes
food
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- I prefer plain yogurt to the sweetened kind.
- Please bring me a glass of plain water.
- She ordered a burger with plain fries.
Learner examples
- I like plain milk.
- He eats plain rice every day.
- She drinks plain tea.
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.