Plain
/pleɪn/
Definitions
4 meaningsAn extensive area of flat land, typically without trees.
/pleɪn/
A large area of flat, level land.
The farmer cultivated crops on the fertile plain.
💡 Simply: Imagine looking out the window on a long car ride, and all you see is flat land. That's a plain! Like a big, open field.
👶 For kids: A big, flat place on the land.
More Examples
The explorers trekked across the scorching plain.
The plains are often home to diverse wildlife.
How It's Used
"The pioneers crossed the vast plains of the Midwest."
"The hero rode across the windswept plain."
Without any adornment or decoration; simple.
/pleɪn/
Not decorated or elaborate; simple or basic.
The design was plain but effective.
💡 Simply: Like a shirt that has no fancy designs or colors - just simple and basic. You might say, 'I like my coffee plain, no sugar!'.
👶 For kids: Something that is not fancy and has no extra stuff on it.
More Examples
She served a plain pasta dish.
He had a plain but comfortable room.
How It's Used
"She wore a plain dress to the office."
"I prefer my yogurt plain."
Evident; clear to the eye or mind.
/pleɪn/
Clear, obvious, and easy to understand.
It was plain that he was lying.
💡 Simply: When something is super clear and easy to see or understand, like, 'It was plain to see that she was happy!'
👶 For kids: Easy to understand and see.
More Examples
The instructions were plain enough to follow.
The injustice was plain to everyone.
How It's Used
"The evidence was plain and undeniable."
"He gave me a plain explanation."
To express something clearly or directly.
/pleɪn/
To express (something) clearly or directly.
The witness was asked to plain what had happened.
💡 Simply: To tell something very clearly so everyone can understand.
👶 For kids: To say something in a way that's easy to understand.
More Examples
He wanted to plain his thoughts on the matter.
The lawyer plained his case to the jury.
How It's Used
"He was asked to plain his intentions."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
in plain sight
Visible or easily found, but often overlooked.
"The keys were in plain sight, I just didn't see them."
plain as day
Extremely clear or obvious.
"The answer was plain as day once I saw the pattern."
speak plain
To speak directly and without embellishment.
"He spoke plain, and his meaning was clear to everyone."
From Old French *plaine* ('field, open country'), from Latin *planus* ('flat, level').
The word 'plain' has existed in English for centuries, evolving from its Latin roots to encompass various meanings, from land features to simplicity in appearance or expression.
Memory tip
Think of an airplane's 'plain' view of the Earth – vast and flat.
Word Origin
"flat, level; clear, evident"