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Glite Dictionary
plug and play

plug and play

2 4.2
Works as soon as you connect or install it without needing any setup
  • adjective
  • /plʌg ənd pleɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : listo para usar
  • The new printer is truly plug and play, requiring no setup before use.
  • plug-and-play USB

So this is a much more straightforward plug and play kind of method.

Examples

  • It becomes a plug and play and the writing process is super fast, so it's great.

  • The LEDs are plug-and-play with all cables and electronics included.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Everything is plug and play.

    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)

  • The shopping list contains parts that are entirely plug and play.

    Blog text (3)

  • So this is a much more straightforward plug and play kind of method.

    Austin Evans

  • Simple mathematics, plug and play, no new concept.

  • The interface is "Plug and play" USB and fast SCSI connections.

    Academic text (2001)

  • They will be integrated with other smart instruments in hospital operating rooms to form plug-and-play systems.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The new camera includes the company's PVCAM application programming interface, which offers plug-and-play compatibility with many third-party software packages.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The OPUS I features a 14-bit digital color output for each channel, still or video mode, real-time color processing, and a USB 2.0 interface that enables plug-and-play compatibility and does not require a frame grabber.

    Academic text (2005)

Synonyms

out of the box
vsplug and play
12 4.0

Ready to use without extra setup after you buy it

is ready when simply connected or installed rather than after purchase
turnkey
vsplug and play
  • Specialized
1 4.7

Ready to use because all parts and setup are provided

is ready after simple connection without needing provider installation
preprogrammed
vsplug and play
  • Specialized
4.5

Set in advance so it works automatically without more instructions

focuses on working immediately when connected rather than being prearranged

Antonyms

manual
101 3.8

Done by hand rather than by a machine

How Easy

plug and play
  • Specialized
2 4.2
preset
  • Specialized
11 4.0
device driver
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Surface Forms

plug and play positive

Morphology

plug + and + play

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'plug' (connect) and 'play' (operate): an item that will operate as soon as it is plugged in. This compositional logic (connect → immediately work) is straightforward and common in technical contexts, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the intended sense.

Etymology

Plug and play comes from the simple image of plugging a device into a socket and it starting right away, like you plug in a music player and press play. So it now means a device or program that will 'work right away' with no extra setup.