English dictionary

plainly Meaning & Definition

Q: What are the comparative and superlative forms of plainly?

The comparative form is plainlier and the superlative form is plainliest.

ˈplān

What Does Plainly Mean?

Plainly is an adjective that means lacking ornament. It can also mean free of extraneous matter.

Plainly in Brief

Part of speech	adjective
Pronunciation	/ˈplān/
Syllables	1
Synonyms	plain, evidently and obviously
Antonyms	long-windedly, verbosely and wordily
Comparative / superlative	plainlier, plainliest

Plainly Definition (Adjective)

lacking ornament : undecorated
free of extraneous matter : pure
free of impediments to view : unobstructed
evident to the mind or senses : obvious
it's perfectly plain that they will resist
clear
let me make my meaning plain
marked by outspoken candor : free from duplicity or subtlety : blunt
plain talk
belonging to the masses : common
lacking special distinction or affectation : ordinary
characterized by simplicity : not complicated
plain home-cooked meals
lacking beauty or ugliness
even, level

Synonyms of Plainly

plain evidently obviously patently apparently manifestly simply directly forthrightly foursquare straight straightforward straightforwardly all right alright assuredly certainly clearly definitely doubtless easily forsooth hands down inarguably incontestably incontrovertibly indeed indisputably really so sure surely truly unarguably undeniably undoubtedly unquestionably bald bare naked plain-vanilla simple unadorned undecorated unembellished unornamented unvarnished absolute fine neat pure purified refined unadulterated unalloyed undiluted unmixed candid direct forthcoming forthright frank free-spoken freehearted honest open openhearted out-front outspoken plainspoken unguarded unreserved up-front apparent bald-faced barefaced bright-line broad clear clear-cut crystal clear decided distinct evident lucid luculent luminous manifest nonambiguous obvious open-and-shut palpable patent pellucid perspicuous ringing transparent unambiguous unambivalent unequivocal unmistakable expressly unambiguously

Plainly synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Plainly

long-windedly verbosely wordily civilly courteously diplomatically politely tactfully deceitfully mendaciously untruthfully erroneously fallaciously falsely hypocritically insincerely ambiguously circuitously equivocally evasively indirectly adorned decorated embellished fancy ornamented flamboyant flashy garish gaudy glittery glitzy loud ostentatious showy splashy swank tawdry bedizened florid lurid exaggerated overdecorated overdone overwrought baroque elaborate extravagant ornate rococo appareled arrayed bedecked decked-out dressed embroidered garnished trimmed adulterated alloyed diluted impure mixed befouled besmirched contaminated corrupted debased defiled fouled polluted soiled spoiled sullied tainted unclarified amalgamated blended coalesced combined commingled compounded incorporated intermingled intermixed merged mingled conjoined fused joined linked united cheapened doctored watered-down dissembling uncandid unforthcoming inhibited reserved restrained close-mouthed laconic quiet reticent taciturn tight-lipped uncommunicative ambiguous circuitous equivocal evasive diplomatic politic tactful civil considerate courteous polite indirect roundabout circumlocutory long-winded prolix verbose wordy deceitful lying mendacious untruthful erroneous fallacious false misleading double-dealing hypocritical two-faced clouded cryptic dark enigmatic indistinct mysterious nonobvious obfuscated obscure unapparent unclear incomprehensible indecipherable unfathomable unintelligible unknowable impalpable imperceptible inappreciable indiscernible insensible cloudy gauzy gray hazy imprecise indefinite indeterminate misty murky nebulous noncommittal sketchy slippery subtle vague illegible undecipherable unreadable

Plainly in a Sentence

She decorated the room plainly but neatly.

You will see that ours is plainly the better method.

it's perfectly plain that they will resist

let me make my meaning plain

plain talk

plain home-cooked meals

you'll have to tell your relatives very plainly that you don't like perfume, or they'll keep giving it to you

your wife is plainly upset that you didn't invite her to the game with us

I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish

just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments

I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else

their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful

a plain report on the current situation

Word Forms & Grammar

plain·ly adverb

plain·ness noun

plain

plainer

plainest

plainly

plainness

plainnesses

plainly (comparative plainlier or more plainly, superlative plainliest or most plainly)

Words That Rhyme With Plainly

ungainly gainly mainly vainly sanely humanely ainley elaine lee hainley jane lee jane leigh rainley wayne lee

Origin of Plainly

From Middle English playnly, pleinly, pleyneliche, equivalent to plain +‎ -ly.

First Known Use

14th century

Pronouncing Plainly

You say plainly as /ˈplān/. It has 1 syllable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plainly

What part of speech is plainly?

Plainly is an adjective.

What is another word for plainly?

Close synonyms of plainly are plain, evidently and obviously. See the full list of plainly synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of plainly?

The opposite of plainly can be expressed with words like long-windedly, verbosely, wordily and civilly.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of plainly?

The comparative form is plainlier and the superlative form is plainliest.