plain

Definitions

plain is plānus «flat» itself. Flat land → a plain. Something laid out flat and open hides nothing → clear, obvious (the plain truth). What is unadorned, with no raised decoration, is also «flat» → simple, plain. One image, three senses.

Why It Means This

All of plain's meanings are the same flat surface seen differently. Geographically it's flat land. Morally and visually, «flat» means nothing is hidden or piled on: plain English is clear, a plain dress is unadorned, plain-dealing is honest. Note the homophone trap: plain (land, simple) sounds identical to plane (surface, aircraft) but they split in spelling and sense.

Common Collocations

• 1.plain English大白话
• 2.the plain truth明摆的事实
• 3.plain and simple简单明了
• 4.vast plain广阔平原
• 5.coastal plain沿海平原

Example Sentences

• 1.

  It was plain to everyone that she was exhausted.

• 2.

  He prefers plain food without heavy sauces.

• 3.

  The herd grazed across the open plain.

• 4.

  Let me put it in plain English.

Easily Confused

plain vs plane — homophones with split spellings. plain = flat land / simple / clear (a grassy plain, plain food). plane = a flat surface, a level, or an aircraft (a geometric plane, catch a plane). If it means «land» or «simple,» use plain.

Synonym Comparison