plainly

UK: /ˈpleɪnli/ US: /ˈpleɪnli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

plain•ly /ˈpleɪnli/   adv. 

1. clearly;
   obviously:
   plainly confused by her question.
2. in a manner easy to understand:
   I've told you as plainly as I can.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

plain¹ /pleɪn/   adj., -er, -est, adv., n. 
adj. 

1. distinct to the eye or ear:
   in plain view.
2. clear to the mind;
   evident:
   He made his meaning plain.
3. easily understood:
   the plain truth.
4. complete;
   downright;
   sheer;
   utter:
   [before a noun] plain stupidity.
5. ordinary;
   without false display:
   plain, simple farm people.
6. not beautiful;
   unattractive:
   a plain face.
7. with little or no decoration;
   not fancy:
   a plain blue suit.
8. not rich, highly seasoned, or fancy in preparation, as food:
   plain cooking.

adv. 

9. clearly and simply:
   They're just plain stupid.

n. [countable]

10. a large, flat area of land not higher than nearby areas.

plain•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

plain¹  (plān), adj., -er, -est, adv., n. 
adj. 

1. clear or distinct to the eye or ear:
   a plain trail to the river; to stand in plain view.
2. clear to the mind;
   evident, manifest, or obvious:
   to make one's meaning plain.
3. conveying the meaning clearly and simply;
   easily understood:
   plain talk.
4. downright;
   sheer;
   utter;
   self-evident:
   plain folly; plain stupidity.
5. free from ambiguity or evasion;
   candid;
   outspoken:
   the plain truth of the matter.
6. without special pretensions, superiority, elegance, etc.;
   ordinary:
   plain people.
7. not beautiful;
   physically unattractive or undistinguished:
   a plain face.
8. without intricacies or difficulties.
9. ordinary, simple, or unostentatious:
   Although she was a duchess, her manners were attractively plain.
10. with little or no embellishment, decoration, or enhancing elaboration:
    a plain blue suit.
11. without a pattern, figure, or device:
    a plain fabric.
12. not rich, highly seasoned, or elaborately prepared, as food:
    a plain diet.
13. flat or level:
    plain country.
14. unobstructed, clear, or open, as ground, a space, etc.
15. Games [Cards.] being other than a face card or a trump.

adv. 
16. clearly and simply:
    He's just plain stupid.

n. 
17. an area of land not significantly higher than adjacent areas and with relatively minor differences in elevation, commonly less than 500 ft. (150 m), within the area.
18. Place Names The Plains. See Great Plains. 
• Latin plānus flat, level, plānum flat country
• Old French (adjective, adjectival and noun, nominal)
• Middle English (adjective, adjectival, adverb, adverbial, and noun, nominal) 1250–1300
plain′ly, adv. 
plain′ness, n. 
Synonyms
• 1, 2. lucid, understandable, intelligible, unmistakable, apparent, perspicuous.
• 2, 3. unambiguous, unequivocal, patent, transparent; direct.
• 5. unreserved, straightforward, blunt, frank, ingenuous, open, sincere.
• 6. unpretentious.
• 10. unadorned. See homely. 
Antonyms
• 1. indistinct.
• 2. obscure.
• 13. hilly.

plain²  (plān), v.i. [Brit. Dial.]

1. British Terms to complain.

• Latin plangere to beat (the breast, etc.), lament; akin to Greek plé̄ssein to strike
• Old French plaign-, stem of plaindre
• Middle English plei(g)nen 1250–1300