PLAINLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does plainly mean? 

• PLAINLY (adverb)
  The adverb PLAINLY has 2 senses:

1. unmistakably ('plain' is often used informally for 'plainly')

2. in a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment

  Familiarity information: PLAINLY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLAINLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unmistakably ('plain' is often used informally for 'plainly')

Synonyms:

apparently; evidently; manifestly; obviously; patently; plain; plainly

Context example:

he is plain stubborn

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Pertainym:

plain (clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a simple manner; without extravagance or embellishment

Synonyms:

plainly; simply

Context example:

they lived very simply

 Context examples 

As plainly as I behold what happened, I will try to write it down.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Something of daylight still lingered, and the moon was waxing bright: I could see him plainly.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I must put it plainly, Mr. Holmes.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Ruth showed her disappointment plainly when he announced that he was going to sea for another voyage as soon as he was well rested.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He was plainly expectant of a rebuff, and he was just as plainly surprised when her teeth did not flash out at him in anger.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He will speak plainly enough when the time comes, be sure.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I’ve had the feel iv it this long time, and I can feel it now as plainly as I feel the rigging iv a dark night.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

They treated her with more respect, she thought, took quite a tender interest in what she said, and looked at her with eyes that plainly betrayed curiosity.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The old dog did not like it, and showed plainly that he was afraid of Buck.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

It was not inclination that he wanted, Elinor; I could plainly see THAT.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)