plane 1 of 4

noun

ˈplān How to pronounce plane (audio)
Definition of planenext
as in airplane
a vehicle for traveling through the air that has fixed wings for lift a plane flew overhead

Synonyms & Similar Words

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plane

2 of 4

adjective

as in level
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities you can do these tracings on any plane surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plane

3 of 4

verb (1)

as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps planed the wood for the picnic table perfectly smooth so that no one would get splinters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plane

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to fly
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings an eagle planed effortlessly overhead, gliding on an air current

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plane contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plane are even, flat, level, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could even be used to replace plane?

While the synonyms even and plane are close in meaning, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use flat instead of plane?

While in some cases nearly identical to plane, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to plane?

The meanings of level and plane largely overlap; however, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When might smooth be a better fit than plane?

In some situations, the words smooth and plane are roughly equivalent. However, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

How does the adjective plane contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plane are even, flat, level, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could even be used to replace plane?

While the synonyms even and plane are close in meaning, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use flat instead of plane?

While in some cases nearly identical to plane, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to plane?

The meanings of level and plane largely overlap; however, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When might smooth be a better fit than plane?

In some situations, the words smooth and plane are roughly equivalent. However, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

How does the adjective plane contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plane are even, flat, level, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could even be used to replace plane?

While the synonyms even and plane are close in meaning, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use flat instead of plane?

While in some cases nearly identical to plane, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to plane?

The meanings of level and plane largely overlap; however, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When might smooth be a better fit than plane?

In some situations, the words smooth and plane are roughly equivalent. However, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

How does the adjective plane contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plane are even, flat, level, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could even be used to replace plane?

While the synonyms even and plane are close in meaning, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use flat instead of plane?

While in some cases nearly identical to plane, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to plane?

The meanings of level and plane largely overlap; however, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When might smooth be a better fit than plane?

In some situations, the words smooth and plane are roughly equivalent. However, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

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 plane
Noun
Tremblay, her daughter said, was ejected from the plane upon impact and was thrown more than 300 feet — nearly the length of a football field — before slamming and skidding onto the tarmac. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026 The developer’s role is moving to a higher plane. —Mohith Shrivastava, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Magellano’s Dual Mode Hull, a signature feature that has been on the vessels since the series started, is a semi-planing hull with a vertical bow. —Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025 Besides the Cool Springs location, the brand is also planing to open stores at Opry Mills and West Town Mall in Knoxville this fall. —Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plane
  1. airplane
  2. level
  3. aeroplane
  4. smooth
  5. flat
  6. horizontal
  7. exact
Noun
  • There was nothing wrong with the airplane that would have caused alarms to go off.
    — Jeff Wise, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st century hustle possible?
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of airplane
Adjective
  • Greater transparency helps consumers make informed choices and ensures that businesses making legitimate environmental investments are competing on a level playing field.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • McMorris added that public agencies ca,n be more vulnerable to contracting abuses without strong safeguards, pointing to practices such as limits on no-bid contracts, multi-level approval processes, regular audits and stricter controls on contract changes and cost overruns.
    — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of level
Noun
  • No distractions, no aeroplanes, no noise, no traffic.
    — Emma Banks, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The technology can fuel any form of transport, including yachts, ships, ferries, aeroplanes, trains, cars, buses, and trucks.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of aeroplane
Adjective
  • Helium enables smooth production of semiconductors since the gas prevents unwanted chemical reactions in the manufacturing process.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Maxim Rud’s transition from intern to orthopedic traumatologist wasn’t smooth or gradual.
    — Mariia Yastreba, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • Georgia added 1,200 net jobs in January, basically flat from December, according to the report, the first glimpse at how the state labor market is performing this year.
    — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The two thin, flat legs attach to the bottom of the TV near the edges.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of flat
Adjective
  • That carries across to the exterior, where aggressive styling has been eschewed in favor of long, horizontal lines and subtle curves.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Indian business and financial news platform Moneycontrol reported that more than 100 eggs were visible within weeks once the team reached a fossil-rich horizontal layer, and noted that the egg-bearing layer extends beyond the current trench.
    — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of horizontal
Adjective
  • The Census Bureau will collect exact population counts during the next official census in 2030, unless a community requests a special census before then.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The exact address is 7628 Corina Drive, but just look on Spur 341 along the Naval Air Station runway 1 mile north of Interstate 30; 682-255-5370.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of exact

Browse Nearby Words

plan
plane
planed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on plane

Nglish: Translation of plane for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plane

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