plain

Everyday

1. Plain means simple, with nothing added or no decoration, like a plain T-shirt or plain yogurt. tree →
2. Plain means easy to see or understand; clear, as in «it was plain that he was tired». tree →
3. A plain is a large, flat area of land with few trees. tree →
4. Plain can describe someone who is not especially good-looking (not kind to say). tree →
5. Plain (adverb) means completely, as in «plain silly». tree →

In the lessons

In geography: plains are wide, flat lands, like the Great Plains of North America, good for farming and grazing. In art and writing: plain colours, plain English (simple, clear words). In maths, «plain» paper has no lines or squares. Everyday: «plain flour», «plain chocolate» (UK: dark chocolate), «plain clothes» police. Phrases: «plain and simple», «in plain sight», «plain sailing» (easy), «as plain as day».

Examples

• I'd like a plain biscuit, please. tree →
• Draw your picture on plain paper. tree →
• It was plain that she was upset. tree →
• Buffalo once roamed the Great Plains. tree →
• The instructions were written in plain English. tree →
• He wore a plain white shirt. tree →
• The keys were in plain sight on the table. tree →
• After the first hill, it was plain sailing. tree →
• That's just plain silly. tree →

Note

Homophone: «plane» (an aeroplane, a flat surface in maths, a woodworking tool, a tree) sounds the same. In maths, a flat surface is a «plane», not a «plain». Comparatives: «plainer, plainest».

In Jewish tradition

Mostly a wide flat stretch of land, as in the plains of Moab where Israel camped before entering Canaan. In Nehemiah "the Plain" is a district near Jerusalem. In Proverbs "plain" also means clear and easy to understand, or level.

Interpretation. The plains of Moab are where Moses gave his last speeches, so the tradition sees it as the place of final preparation before the Land. Proverbs says wisdom's words are plain to those who understand.

Examples

• And they pitched by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth even unto Abel-shittim in the plains of Moab. (Torah NUM.33.49, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: (Torah NUM.33.50, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the children of Israel journeyed, and pitched in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. (Torah NUM.22.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And after him repaired the priests, the men of the Plain. (Writings NEH.3.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• Make plain the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. (Writings PRO.4.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. (Writings PRO.8.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophone: «plane» (an aeroplane, a flat surface in maths, a woodworking tool, a tree) sounds the same. In maths, a flat surface is a «plane», not a «plain». Comparatives: «plainer, plainest».