plain
word
/ˈpɫeɪn/
playn
/plˈeɪn/
playn
Definition
Plain usually means simple, not decorated, or easy to see and understand. It can also describe flat land with very few trees or hills.
Usage & Nuances
Very common in everyday English. Common patterns: 'plain clothes', 'plain food', 'plain English', and 'the plain truth'. Don't confuse the adjective 'plain' with 'plane'. 'Plain' can sometimes also mean 'ordinary-looking' when describing a person, which may sound impolite.
Spanish: simple - liso - llanuraPortuguese (BR): simples - liso - planíciePortuguese (PT): simples - liso - planícieChinese (Simplified): 朴素的 - 平的 - 平原Chinese (Traditional): 樸素的 - 平的 - 平原Hindi: सादा - सपाट - मैदानArabic: بسيط - مستوٍ - سهلBengali: সরল - সাদাসিধে - সমতল (ভূগোল)Russian: простой - обычный - равнинаJapanese: シンプルな - 質素な - 平原Vietnamese: đơn giản - đồng bằngKorean: 단순한 - 평원Turkish: sade - düz - ovaUrdu: سادہ - سادہ لباس - میدان (زمین)Indonesian: sederhana - polos - dataran
Example Sentences
She wore a plain white shirt.
basic
The cows were eating grass on the plain.
basic
Please use plain language in your email.
basic
I like my coffee plain, with no sugar or milk.
natural
To be plain honest, I don't think that plan will work.
natural
He was in plain clothes, so nobody knew he was a police officer.
natural