Synonyms for
Plain
Definition
not decorated or elaborate; simple or ordinary
Synonyms & similar words
apparent
evidently
unmistakable
manifestly
homely
patterned
sheer
cheer
unpatterned
manifest
champaign
plainly
unmingled
complain
kick
obviously
bare
unvarnished
patently
field
knit
unembellished
quetch
evident
apparently
simple
unadorned
ordinary
basic
unembellished
unvarnished
austere
spartan
bare
unornamented
unpretentious
unostentatious
modest
homely
unfussy
undecorated
unpatterned
unadulterated
unqualified
blunt
Synonyms by register
Formal
Informal
Literary
Antonyms
Common collocations
- plain and simple
- plain speaking
- plain truth
- plain food
- plain sight
- plain English
- plain sailing
Word family
Usage note
As an adjective, 'plain' can mean simple or unadorned, or it can mean ordinary or unattractive. It can also mean clear or obvious.
Compare "plain" with another word →
Example sentences
- The walls of the room were painted plain white.
- I like my coffee plain with no sugar or cream.
- The book had a plain cover with no images on it.
- The food was too plain and lacked any flavor.
- The shirt was plain black with no designs on it.
Quotes
'Plainness has its peculiar temptations quite as much as beauty.' - George Eliot
'The plainest print cannot be read through a gold eagle.' - Benjamin Franklin
'Plain women know more about men than beautiful women do.' - Katharine Hepburn