plain text: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “plain text” mean?
Unformatted digital text containing only standard alphanumeric characters, with no styling (like bold or italic), images, or embedded code.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Unformatted digital text containing only standard alphanumeric characters, with no styling (like bold or italic), images, or embedded code.
Data or a message in its simplest, most readable form, often contrasted with encrypted (ciphertext) or formatted (rich text) versions. In computing, it is a fundamental data format.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling conventions for related words may differ (e.g., 'formatting' vs. 'formatting').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. Slightly more common in UK English in formal documentation contexts.
Frequency
Broadly equal frequency in technical domains.
Grammar
How to Use “plain text” in a Sentence
[file/document/message] is in plain textsave/copy [object] as plain textconvert [object] to plain textVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plain text” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard as a verb]
American English
- [Not standard as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
American English
- [Not standard as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- Always use a plain-text editor for writing code.
- The system requires a plain-text version of your CV.
American English
- Always use a plain text editor for writing code.
- The system requires a plain text version of your resume.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"For security, never send passwords via plain text email."
Academic
"The corpus was stored as plain text files for linguistic analysis."
Everyday
"My phone can't open that document; can you send it as plain text?"
Technical
"The protocol transmits credentials over TLS, preventing plain text exposure."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “plain text”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “plain text”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plain text”
- Using 'plain text' to mean 'easy-to-understand language' in non-technical contexts (use 'plain English').
- Misspelling as 'plane text'.
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'I will plain text it').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In technical writing, especially cryptography, 'plaintext' (one word) is standard. In general computing, the two-word form 'plain text' is more common.
The opposite in word processing is 'rich text' or 'formatted text', which includes styling like bold, italics, and different fonts.
Yes, a .txt file is the most common example of a plain text file format, containing only unformatted character data.
It is dangerous because if the communication is intercepted, the password is immediately visible and usable by an attacker, with no decryption needed.
Unformatted digital text containing only standard alphanumeric characters, with no styling (like bold or italic), images, or embedded code.
Plain text is usually formal, technical in register.
Plain text: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpleɪn ˈtɛkst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpleɪn ˈtɛkst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not commonly idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PLAIN (simple, unadorned) field of TEXT. No fonts, colours, or pictures—just words on a blank background.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEXT IS A SURFACE; Plain text is a bare, unadorned surface versus rich text's decorated surface.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary security risk associated with 'plain text'?