“Plain” vs. “Plane”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “plain” and “plane”

  • Plain is often used in reference to simplicity, while plane typically pertains to flatness.
  • While plain can have several meanings, plane is typically used in a technical sense relating to mathematics or aviation.
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What is the definition of “plain” and “plane”?

Plain
  • Plain refers to something that is simple or ordinary.
  • It can also refer to a large, flat area of land, typically with few trees.
  • In fashion, plain refers to a fabric that is unpatterned and has no design elements.
Plane
  • A plane is a flat surface that extends infinitely in all directions.
  • It can also refer to an aircraft that has wings and one or more engines, designed for air travel.
  • In mathematics, a plane is a two-dimensional flat surface that extends infinitely in all directions.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Plain” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Plain
716,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Her outfit was plain and unremarkable.
  2. The plain truth is that he lied about his qualifications.
  3. She preferred plain rice to seasoned rice.
Plane
643,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. We flew on a plane to our vacation destination.
  2. The wood needs to be sanded until it's completely plane.
  3. The plane glided gracefully across the runway during takeoff.
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