# plain

/ˈpɫeɪn/ (US) · /plˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plain
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. simple or undecorated

adjective · CEFR B1

simple and not decorated with patterns or extra details.

For teachers: lacking ornament, decoration, or pattern; simple in design or appearance.

- He wore a plain white t-shirt and blue jeans to the party.
- The interior was decorated in a plain, minimalist style that emphasised the architectural lines of the building rather than the furniture.

### 2. easy to understand

adjective · CEFR B1

clear and easy to see or understand.

For teachers: clear to the mind; easy to perceive or understand without ambiguity.

- The truth was plain to see for everyone in the room.
- The instructions were written in plain English to ensure that users without technical backgrounds could operate the machinery safely.

### 3. not attractive

adjective · CEFR B2

not beautiful or handsome, but not ugly either.

For teachers: not distinguished by beauty; having a simple or unremarkable appearance.

- She described herself as a plain person who didn't like wearing makeup.
- The protagonist was often described as a plain woman, a choice by the author to focus on her intellectual depth rather than her physical appearance.

### 4. flat land

noun · CEFR B1

a large area of flat land with few trees.

For teachers: an extensive area of level or gently undulating land, usually at a low elevation and often covered in grass.

- The train travelled across the vast plains for several hours.
- The Great Plains of North America support a diverse ecosystem despite the relatively low annual rainfall and lack of natural forest cover.

### 5. completely or simply

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to emphasize that something is completely true or simple.

For teachers: used as an intensifier to mean 'simply' or 'completely'; typically precedes an adjective.

- That idea is just plain stupid.
- It was plain wrong of him to take credit for work that the entire team had contributed to over the last six months.

Usage: Usually placed before an adjective to add emphasis.

## Examples

- The vast plain stretched out for miles in every direction.
- Farmers in the central plain rely on seasonal rains to water their vast fields of wheat and corn.
- The nomadic tribes moved across the high plain in search of better grazing land for their herds as the summer heat intensified.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.