plainly
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
in a way that is very easy to see, hear, or understand.
in a manner that is clear to the mind or senses; obviously.
Simple“The sign was plainly visible from the road, so we didn't get lost.”
In context“The witness was plainly distressed by the line of questioning, though she maintained her composure throughout the cross-examination.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
in a simple way, without using fancy words or extra decoration.
in a simple, direct, or unadorned manner; without affectation or complexity.
Simple“He spoke plainly about the problems at work so everyone understood the situation.”
In context“The room was plainly furnished with only a wooden desk and a single chair, reflecting the owner's preference for utility over comfort.”
Antonyms
“I will say it plainly: it is poison, for the company and for the society around it.”
“There are scenes that are among the most deeply moving yet plainly told as anything I’ve ever read.”
From Middle English playnly, pleinly, pleyneliche, equivalent to plain + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.