Skip to main content
no-frills

no-frills

5 3.8
Simple and basic without extra services or decoration
  • adjective
  • /noʊ frɪlz/
translation icon : sin lujos
  • High wages made it possible for "everyman" to purchase the basic, no-frills, black (and only black) Model T.
  • no-frills airline
  • no-frills carrier
  • no-frills service

Regardless of all that though, in my humble opinion, this is a great value, no frills keyboard that most people will feel great purchasing.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Nuevo Leon is a no-frills, cash-only, BYOB restaurant serving up authentic Mexican favorites.

    Blog text (31)
  • Regardless of all that though, in my humble opinion, this is a great value, no frills keyboard that most people will feel great purchasing.

  • First, they sell no-frills necessities at the best price available anywhere.

    Blog text (13)
  • If you want to splurge, go ahead; if you want more money in the bank, go for a no-frills phone.

    Blog text (11)
  • An average restaurant meal in Australia will run you around $15 USD for no-frills eating.

    Blog text (20)
  • Like The Prudent Patron says, it's a no-frills grocery store.

    Blog text (34)
  • But if I can't really have all that, I should at least work towards having a no-frills, clean, neat, and sane home.

    Blog text (12)
  • With neither a laser-aiming device nor minimum/maximum temperature-reading capabilities, the unit was a basic, no-frills, stripped-down model: simple, inexpensive, rugged, and efficient.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The restaurant offers a no-frills dining experience, focusing purely on delicious, affordable food.

  • She prefers no-frills clothing that is simple and practical without unnecessary designs.

Synonyms

simple
vsno-frills
220 1.0

Plain and without decoration

is the term stressing removal of unnecessary extras rather than style alone
plain
vsno-frills
208 1.0

Simple and not decorated or flavored

focuses more on being reduced to essentials rather than unmixed purity
low-key
vsno-frills
  • Informal
23 5.0

Calm and simple in style without showy details

is focused on absence of extras and decorative features rather than mood
low-tech
vsno-frills
18 3.8

Using simple tools and methods instead of new technology

is about lack of extras in general, not limited to technological aspects
minimalist
vsno-frills
16 5.4

Very simple and with few details in art, design, or music

is the general label for lack of extras, not a specific artistic movement
nothing fancy
vsno-frills
15 2.7

Simple and plain without anything special or expensive

is the idiomatic phrase used casually to reject extravagance
austere
vsno-frills
8 7.2

Having a simple style with no extra decoration

is milder, focusing on removing extras rather than creating a severe impression
bare-bones
vsno-frills
6 4.2

Very simple, with only the basic parts that are needed

is the general descriptor focusing on lack of extras rather than severity
stripped-down
vsno-frills
3 4.8

Has only the basic parts and no extra features

is the broader term for designs that avoid unnecessary features
unembellished
vsno-frills
1 5.8

Plain and simple in appearance without extra decoration

is the broader label for lacking unnecessary features beyond decoration
vanilla
vsno-frills
  • Informal
1 3.8

Plain and simple, without special features

is general and ordinary in character rather than focused on practical function
unostentatious
vsno-frills
1 7.8

Simple and modest in style and not trying to attract attention

is about lacking features, not primarily about avoiding attention or display
without any frills
vsno-frills
3.8

Simple and plain with no extra things or decorations

is the concise descriptor used for that same lack of extras
bare-boned
vsno-frills
6.1

Being very simple and having only the basic parts

is more neutral, referring broadly to items without extra parts
unfancy
vsno-frills
3.4

Plain and simple, not expensive or decorated

is more about functional reduction than price or appearance focus
unfancied
vsno-frills
5.5

Has a plain, simple style and is not expensive

is the usual descriptor emphasizing absence of extra decorative features
ultra-basic
vsno-frills
4.0

A very simple thing with almost no features or comfort

is the broader term for items without extras rather than extreme reduction
econ
vsno-frills
  • Informal
6.7

A low-cost basic version of a product to save money

is about general absence of extras rather than mainly focusing on low price

Antonyms

497 2.7

Decorative and not plain, often with many small details

62 5.6

Something that is very comfortable and expensive and shows someone is rich

26 6.0

Very strong and not controlled when showing feelings or actions

How Fancy

luxurious
62 5.6
upmarket
  • UK
2 5.9
no-frills
5 3.8
basic
144 1.0

Surface Forms

no-frills positive

Morphology

no-frills = no + frills (semi-transparent) = no + frills

The phrase 'no-frills' is clear in its components, but the idiomatic meaning of simplicity without extras is not directly derivable from the individual words.

Etymology

No-frills comes from no and frill, where a frill is a small 'decoration' on clothes or things, so it means an extra, non-essential touch. So a no-frills product or service has no decorative extras and is simple and basic.