plain

1
[ pleyn ]
/ pleɪn /

adjective, plain·er, plain·est.

adverb

clearly and simply: He's just plain stupid.

noun

an area of land not significantly higher than adjacent areas and with relatively minor differences in elevation, commonly less than 500 feet (150 meters), within the area.
The Plains. Great Plains.

Origin of plain

1
1250–1300; Middle English (adj., adv., and noun) < Old French (adj. and noun) < Latin plānus flat, level, plānum flat country

synonym study for plain

10. See homely.

OTHER WORDS FROM plain

plain·ly, adverb plain·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH plain

plain plan plane

Definition for plains (2 of 2)

plain 2
[ pleyn ]
/ pleɪn /

verb (used without object) British Dialect.

to complain.

Origin of plain

2
1250–1300; Middle English plei(g)nen < Old French plaign-, stem of plaindre < Latin plangere to beat (the breast, etc.), lament; akin to Greek plḗssein to strike

Example sentences from the Web for plains

British Dictionary definitions for plains (1 of 3)

plains
/ (pleɪnz) /

pl n

mainly US extensive tracts of level or almost level treeless countryside; prairies

British Dictionary definitions for plains (2 of 3)

plain 1
/ (pleɪn) /

adjective

noun

adverb

(intensifier) just plain tired
See also plains

Derived forms of plain

plainly, adverb plainness, noun

Word Origin for plain

C13: from Old French: simple, from Latin plānus level, distinct, clear

British Dictionary definitions for plains (3 of 3)

plain 2
/ (pleɪn) /

verb

a dialect or poetic word for complain

Word Origin for plain

C14 pleignen, from Old French plaindre to lament, from Latin plangere to beat

Scientific definitions for plains

plain
[ plān ]

An extensive, relatively level area of land. Plains are present on all continents except Antarctica and are most often located in the interior regions. Because they can occur at almost any altitude or latitude, plains can be humid and forested, semiarid and grass-covered, or arid.
A broad, level expanse, such as an area of the sea floor or a lunar mare.

Idioms and Phrases with plains

plain