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Definition of "plain" []

  • Free from obstructions; open; clear: in plain view. (adjective)
  • Obvious to the mind; evident: make one's intention plain. See Synonyms at apparent. (adjective)
  • Not elaborate or complicated; simple: plain food. (adjective)
  • Straightforward; frank or candid: plain talk. (adjective)
  • Not mixed with other substances; pure: plain water. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "plain" in a sentence
  • "I do for a plain one, therefore I like the _plain ones best_, and I hope that our "good brother Burch's" prophecy, that "the days of 'fancy locomotives' will return," will never be fulfilled until after I go out of the business."
  • "They live what they call plain lives, of course, as you well know, not using electricity."
  • "WOODRUFF: And just as important, he is hoping to win over you, the voters in the United States, with what he calls plain-spoken words about his priorities."