Synonyms for

Plain

Verb / pleɪn / Another word for plain — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

not decorated or elaborate; simple or ordinary

Synonyms & similar words

apparent kvetch unpatterned manifest fancy evident unvarnished patently unmistakable patent knit patterned sheer spare manifestly unembellished evidently obviously knitstitch plainstitch homely plainly cheer field champaign simple unadorned ordinary basic unembellished unvarnished austere spartan bare unornamented unpretentious unostentatious modest homely unfussy undecorated unpatterned unadulterated unqualified blunt

Synonyms by register

Formal

unadorned simple unembellished basic

Informal

ordinary regular straightforward no-frills

Literary

unvarnished bare austere

Antonyms

decorated fancy ornate elaborate complex fancy showy

Common collocations

  • plain and simple
  • plain speaking
  • plain truth
  • plain food
  • plain sight
  • plain English
  • plain sailing

Word family

noun plainness
adjective plain
adverb plainly

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.

Example sentences

  1. The walls of the room were painted plain white.
  2. I like my coffee plain with no sugar or cream.
  3. The book had a plain cover with no images on it.
  4. The food was too plain and lacked any flavor.
  5. 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

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words