Phrase guide

plain and simple

adv · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈpleɪn ən(d)sɪmp(ə)l/

1

adv

Meaning 1

Clearly, without any doubt or complexity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I don't care what he calls it. What he's doing is theft, plain and simple.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Compound of plain + and + simple.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: bell'e buono — without any doubt
  • Jamaican Creole: straight — without any doubt
  • Spanish: simple y llanamente — without any doubt
  • Swedish: helt enkelt — without any doubt