adv
Uncommon
plainly
PLAYN-lee
Plainly (adv) means Clearly and obviously. Example: “She was plainly upset by the news.”
adv
1
Clearly and obviously.
"She was plainly upset by the news."
"He plainly didn't want to be there."
2
In a simple, direct manner.
"He spoke plainly about the company's financial troubles."
How to use plainly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClearly, obviously, or in a simple and direct way.
Common pairings
quite plainly
speak plainly
plainly visible
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Word forms
- Comparative
- plainlier, more plainly
- Superlative
- plainliest, most plainly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ upset by the news.
Etymology
From Middle English pleinly, from "plain" plus the adverb suffix "-ly."
Related words
Rhymes for plainly
See all rhymes for plainly →Frequently asked questions
What does “plainly” mean?
The word “plainly” means clearly and obviously. In plain terms, clearly, obviously, or in a simple and direct way.
How do you pronounce “plainly”?
“Plainly” is pronounced PLAYN-lee (/ˈpleɪnli/ in IPA).
How do you use “plainly” in a sentence?
Here is “plainly” used in a sentence: “She was plainly upset by the news.”
What is another word for “plainly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “plainly” include unambiguously and obviously.
What part of speech is “plainly”?
“Plainly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “plainly” come from?
The word “plainly” comes from Middle English. From Middle English pleinly, from "plain" plus the adverb suffix "-ly.".
Is “plainly” a common word?
“Plainly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “plainly” have?
“Plainly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: clearly and obviously.
