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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Plain Meaning: Simple, Clear, and Unadorned (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：clear and simple (plain)

plain 🔊

/pleɪn/

adj.

easy to see or understand, with no extra or confusing details.

Plain diagram on whiteboard with smiling teacher and nodding students

clear and simple 🔊

➕

/klɪr ænd ˈsɪmpəl/

adj.

Describes something that is easy to see, hear, or understand because it has no unnecessary complexity or confusion.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'planus' meaning flat, clear, or level.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a plain white wall: it's simple, clear, and without decoration.

📖 Example

The teacher's instructions were plain and easy to follow, so everyone knew what to do. 🔊 The teacher's instructions were plain and easy to follow, so everyone knew what to do.

🔗 Collocations

plain language – words that are easy to understand, without technical terms

plain meaning – the most obvious and straightforward interpretation

plain truth – a simple and undeniable fact

🔄 Synonyms

clear (adj.) – easy to perceive, understand, or interpret

obvious (adj.) – easily perceived or understood; apparent

straightforward (adj.) – uncomplicated and easy to do or understand

🚫 Antonyms

unclear (adj.) – not easy to see, hear, or understand

confusing (adj.) – bewildering or perplexing

ambiguous (adj.) – open to more than one interpretation; not clear

🌱 Derivatives

plainly (adv.) – in a clear and simple manner

plainness (n.) – the quality of being clear or simple

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'planus' (flat, level). Used in English since 13th century. Originally described flat land, later shifted to 'clear' and 'unadorned'.

Meaning 2：simple and unadorned (plain)

plain 🔊

/pleɪn/

adj.

having no pattern or decoration; not fancy or colorful.

Stack of plain white mug, beige shirt, and white paper on wood

simple and unadorned 🔊

➕

/ˈsɪmpəl ænd ˌʌnəˈdɔrnd/

adj.

Describes an object or item that has no pattern, decoration, or extra details; basic and unembellished.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She prefers to wear a plain white T-shirt and blue jeans because they are comfortable and classic. 🔊 She prefers to wear a plain white T-shirt and blue jeans because they are comfortable and classic.

🔗 Collocations

plain clothes – clothing without patterns, logos, or decorations

plain surface – a smooth, untextured area without any pattern

plain design – a simple, minimalistic design without embellishments

🔄 Synonyms

simple (adj.) – easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty; plain and basic

unadorned (adj.) – not decorated; plain

basic (adj.) – having no special or extra features; simple

🚫 Antonyms

decorated (adj.) – having ornamental features; embellished

fancy (adj.) – elaborate in structure or decoration

ornate (adj.) – made or decorated in a very elaborate way

🌱 Derivatives

plainly (adv.) – in a simple, unadorned manner

plainness (n.) – the quality of being without decoration or ornament