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Antonyms for plain

Grammar : Adj, noun
Spell : pleyn
Phonetic Transcription : pleɪn

Definition of plain

Origin :
  • c.1300, "flat, smooth," from Old French plain "flat, smooth, even" (12c.), from Latin planus "flat, even, level" (see plane (n.1)). Sense of "evident" is from, c.1300; that of "free from obstruction" is early 14c.; meaning "simple, sincere, ordinary" is recorded from late 14c., especially of dress, "unembellished, without decoration."
  • In reference to the dress and speech of Quakers, it is recorded from 1824; of Amish and Mennonites, from 1894 (in the Dutch regions of Pennsylvania Plain with the capital is shorthand adjective for "Amish and Old Order Mennonite"). Of appearance, as a euphemism for "ill-favored, ugly" it dates from 1749. Of envelopes from 1913. As an adverb from early 14c. Plain English is from c.1500. Plain dealer "one who deals plainly or speaks candidly" is from 1570s, marked "Now rare" in OED 2nd edition. To be as plain as the nose on (one's) face is from 1690s.
  • adj clear, obvious
  • adj straightforward in speech
  • adj normal, everyday
  • adj unembellished, basic
  • adj ugly
  • noun level land
Example sentences :
  • The track was plain enough, and there were hamlets at long intervals.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • A plain case, that he had left his curiosity with me, and designed to shew me no other.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Aye, lad, and the plain things are always the hardest things to do.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • It's a shirt and a plain stocking were got off a drowned man in Donegal.
  • Extract from : « Riders to the Sea » by J. M. Synge
  • One thing is plain, you must either go to them, or unlock the cellar-door.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Her duty was as plain as Hester's—and the same—to do the best for him!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • It was plain he was troubled; plain too he was only waiting for the coverture of the house to speak.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • It was plain from his manner that he did not altogether approve.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • It was plain that Garson had given over the struggle against greed.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Behind him came Cassidy and two other detectives in plain clothes.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

Synonyms for plain

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019