plain 1 of 3

adjective

ˈplān How to pronounce plain (audio)
Definition of plainnext
1
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly a plain report on the current situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation let me make my meaning plain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plain

2 of 3

adverb

as in openly
in an honest and direct manner told her plain that he loved her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plain

3 of 3

noun

1
as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word plain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of plain are candid, frank, and open. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

When could candid be used to replace plain?

Although the words candid and plain have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

When might frank be a better fit than plain?

In some situations, the words frank and plain are roughly equivalent. However, frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for plain?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

How is the word plain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of plain are candid, frank, and open. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

When could candid be used to replace plain?

Although the words candid and plain have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

When might frank be a better fit than plain?

In some situations, the words frank and plain are roughly equivalent. However, frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for plain?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

How is the word plain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of plain are candid, frank, and open. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

When could candid be used to replace plain?

Although the words candid and plain have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

When might frank be a better fit than plain?

In some situations, the words frank and plain are roughly equivalent. However, frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for plain?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plain
Adjective
To put that in plain English, a normal conversation runs about 60 decibels. —Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 When combined with flatlining growth and rising household borrowing costs, the risk of recession is plain. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Mar. 2026
Adverb
And the animation is plain ugly, even by the network’s standards. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026 Same story with a lot of our old tech that felt too slow, too cramped, or just plain dull. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
The preserve includes a 4,200-square-foot lodge , multiple guest accommodations and a private collection of animals — east African plains zebras, 75-year-old sulcata tortoises, African Watusi cattle, ostriches and more — that are available to transfer with the sale. —David Caraccio march 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026 On the plains was a female bison standing vigil through the night, a statue of white from the hydrothermal spray of a nearby geyser falling as frost back toward the earth. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
  1. simple
  2. pure
  3. outspoken
  4. straightforward
  5. obvious
  6. openly
  7. prairie
  8. expanse
Adjective
  • Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • With speed on the right wing as essentially a pure winger rather than her usual right-back role, Oke gave Reign’s defense fits, especially when another midfielder joined and created overloads.
    — Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Researchers in Germany are developing a new electrochemical method to coat fusion reactors with pure tungsten.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • The pair are joined by 14 others, including conwoman Anna Delvey and outspoken influencer Hallie Batchelder.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Actress and singer Selena Gomez continues to be outspoken about mental health following her diagnosis with bipolar disorder.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of outspoken
Adjective
  • Requiring hours of collaboration and complex coding, the 1976 animation is, conversely, one of Bettina’s most visually straightforward objects.
    — Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While that sounds straightforward, the real value lies in its layered rewards system, which introduces additional earning opportunities as well as complications.
    — Katherine Fan, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of straightforward
Adjective
  • Another obvious, simple solution is just to chill out.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • One obvious example is the use of modular, prefabricated components to quickly and relatively cheaply build housing.
    — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adverb
  • After nearly 40 years in law enforcement, Harvey spoke openly about the toll a career in public service can take.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • People were talking about pregaming alliances very openly this season.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of openly
Noun
  • Looking over 6,000 acres of prairie, the 45,000-square-foot visitor center would undergo a $7 million renovation after sustaining severe damage from a hailstorm in 2024.
    — Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Visitors can take a ranching tour or admire the wide-open prairie skies before heading to Caprock Canyons for a scenic camping trip.
    — Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of prairie
Noun
  • Clavius can be recognized by dint of an arcing line of impact craters nestled within its 143-mile (230 km) expanse, along with the Porter and Rutherford impact sites, which overlap part of its northeastern and southeastern rim.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
  • That's why there's no greater joy in journalism than driving through the great expanses of the West.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of expanse

Browse Nearby Words

plaided
plain
plainclothesman
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Cite this Entry

“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plain

Nglish: Translation of plain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plain

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