plain

• Qualifie quelque chose de simple, ordinaire ou sans ornement ; aussi utilisé pour signifier clair ou évident.

Describes something that is simple, ordinary, or without decoration; also used to mean clear or obvious.

1. Simple or unadornedA2formal

   Without decoration, pattern, or extra features; basic.

   Simple, sans ornement

   • She wore a plain white dress.
   • The room was plain but comfortable.
   • He prefers plain food without too many spices.

   Synonymesausterebarebasicmodestno-frillsordinaryseveresimplespartanstarkunadornedundecoratedunembellishedunostentatiousunpretentious

   Antonymesadorneddecoratedelaboratefancyflamboyantgaudyornamentalornateshowy

2. Clear or obviousB1formal

   Easy to see, hear, or understand; evident.

   clair / évident

   • It was plain to everyone that she was lying.
   • The instructions are written in plain English.
   • The truth is plain for all to see.

   Synonymesapparentcleardistinctevidentmanifestobviouspatenttransparentunmistakablevisible

   Antonymesambiguoushiddenindistinctobscureunclearvague

3. Not attractiveB1informal

   Used to describe someone's appearance as ordinary or not beautiful.

   Qui n'est pas beau, quelconque

   • She considered herself plain compared to her sister.
   • He was a plain-looking man with a kind smile.
   • The actress played the role of a plain, shy girl.

   Synonymeshomelyill-favoredordinaryuglyunattractiveunlovelyunremarkable

   Antonymesattractivebeautifulgorgeoushandsomelovelyprettystunning

• Adverbe signifiant « clairement », « simplement » ou « sans doute ». Il sert à souligner le caractère direct ou évident d'une affirmation ou d'une action.

An adverb meaning "clearly," "simply," or "without doubt." It is used to emphasize the straightforwardness or obviousness of a statement or action.

1. Clearly or obviouslyB1informal

   Used to emphasize that something is very clear or easy to understand.

   clairement, manifestement

   • He was plain wrong about the facts.
   • She told him plain that she didn't want to go.
   • The instructions were plain simple to follow.

   Synonymesclearlyevidentlymanifestlyobviouslypatentlyunmistakably

2. Completely or absolutelyB2informalamerican

   Used as an intensifier to mean 'totally' or 'absolutely'.

   Complètement, absolument

   • That's just plain ridiculous.
   • He's plain crazy to try that stunt.
   • It's plain impossible to finish in one day.

   Synonymesabsolutelycompletelyentirelyquitesimplytotallyutterly

• Nom désignant une grande étendue de terre plate avec peu d'arbres, ou adjectif décrivant quelque chose de simple, clair ou sans ornement.

A noun referring to a large area of flat land with few trees, or an adjective describing something simple, clear, or unadorned.

1. Large flat area of landA2formal

   A large area of flat land with few trees, often used for farming.

   Plaine

   • The Great Plains stretch across the central United States.
   • Farmers grow wheat on the vast plains.
   • The herd of buffalo roamed across the open plain.

   Synonymesgrasslandlowlandprairiesavannasteppe