Skip to main content
to plain

to plain

3 7.9
To keep saying you are unhappy about something
  • verb
  • /pleɪn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : quejarse
  • Funkadelphia is a music blog founded by a group of Philadelphia college students who, when it comes down to it, just plain love music.

Examples

  • She always plains about the long lines at the grocery store.

  • May I make plain my negotiating position: I will not negotiate with criminals or thugs.

  • I can grouse about the food and the CO and anything I plain please.

  • They should just plain work.

    Blog text (15)
  • It's hands-on experience in my field, lots of networking, and just plain beneficial education.

    Blog text (16)
  • He tends to plain whenever he feels overwhelmed by work.

  • They often plain about how the weather affects their plans.

Synonyms

to complain
vsto plain
1.0

To say you are unhappy about something and want it changed

is narrower, focusing on repeated, whining expressions of displeasure
to kick
vsto plain
  • Informal
500 7.7

Complain about something you do not like

is similar but stresses a persistent, whining manner rather than formality
to whine
vsto plain
  • Informal
211 2.8

To complain in a high, annoying voice

is similar but covers persistent complaining without the high tone
to mutter
vsto plain
140 3.7

To speak quietly so others cannot hear, often to complain

is similar but describes more persistent and whiny complaining
to gripe
vsto plain
  • Informal
38 5.6

To complain repeatedly about small things

is the same overall action but with a whiny emphasis
to sound off
vsto plain
  • Informal
9 7.0

To say your opinion or complain loudly and openly

is the same idea of complaint but quieter and more whining
to bitch and moan
vsto plain
  • NSFW
8 9.6

To complain a lot in an annoying way

is the same act but emphasises a whining, persistent tone
to grouse
vsto plain
  • UK
8 7.4

To complain about small unimportant things

is similar but stresses a whining, persistent delivery
to grumble about
vsto plain
6 4.1

To complain quietly about something you do not like

is broader, focusing on repeated, openly whining complaints
to whinge
vsto plain
  • UK
5 8.1

To complain in an annoying way about small things

is very similar but stresses a whining or petulant quality
to piss and moan
vsto plain
  • Offensive
4 9.9

To complain a lot about small things and annoy others

is similar but focuses on ongoing, whining sounding dissatisfaction
to kvetch
vsto plain
  • Informal
4 9.9

To complain often about small things

is broader but highlights a more whining and persistent style
to bleat
vsto plain
3 7.7

To complain in a weak, whining voice

is alike but applies more broadly to persistent displeasure
to grouch
vsto plain
1 6.4

To complain in a bad-tempered way

is like this but leans more toward whining and persistence
to quetch
vsto plain
9.9

To complain about small, unimportant things

is similar but stresses repeated, whining expressions of unhappiness

Idioms

Easily seen because it is not hidden

3 5.2

To be easy to see but not noticed by others

2 4.8

Easy to see but not noticed because it looks ordinary

1 2.8

Easy to do and without problems after it starts

Compounds

5 3.7

Flat land next to a river that often floods when the river rises

Ordinary clothes that let people in uniform blend in

A flat low area of land next to the sea

alluvial plain
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A flat area of land near a river with rich soil left by floods

A very large dry plain in southern Australia with few trees and little water

1 1.0

Flour without baking powder used for baking and cooking

1 3.9

A large flat area of land covered with salt after salt water dries

A police officer who wears ordinary clothes while working to avoid attention

Honest and open way of acting without hiding anything

5.3

A basic knitting move where you push the needle through the front of a loop

plain wanderer
  • Australian
9.9

A small Australian bird that lives in open grasslands

plain weave
  • Specialized
5.3

A simple cloth pattern where threads go over then under each other

plain-woven
  • Specialized
4.9

Cloth made by crossing threads over and under in a simple pattern

A large flat grassland in northern Tanzania with many wild animals

How Complaining

to whine
  • Informal
211 2.8
to plain
  • Archaic
3 7.9
to complain
1.0
to grumble
41 3.7
to mutter
140 3.7

Surface Forms

plain infinitive
plained past
plained past participle
plaining present participle
plains third person singular

Etymology

The verb plain meaning 'to complain' is related to the word complain and comes from old words for 'lament' or 'cry', not from the 'flat' meaning. A helpful way to remember is to link plain with complain, since both mean to show unhappiness or complain.