Guest

plainness

/ˈpleɪn.nəs/ · plain·ness
noun
  1. The quality or state of being plain; simplicity or lack of ornamentation. The plainness of the cottage's interior made it feel calm and uncluttered.
  2. The quality of being straightforward, unpretentious, or lacking affectation in manner or speech. She admired his plainness, noting that he never tried to hide his true feelings.
  3. A lack of flavor, zest, or excitement, especially in food or drink. The soup suffered from a disappointing plainness that needed a pinch of salt.
Did you know? Jane Austen used the word plainness in 'Emma' (1815) to describe Mr. Knightley's unpretentious character, highlighting its literary pedigree.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Aug 2, 2026