plains: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral (used in both general and specialized contexts).
Quick answer
What does “plains” mean?
Large, flat, treeless areas of land, typically with grasses and low vegetation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Large, flat, treeless areas of land, typically with grasses and low vegetation.
Can metaphorically refer to broad, open, or level surfaces or contexts, or denote simplicity or absence of complexity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the term for geographical features. The term 'prairie' (more common in North America) overlaps semantically but is not synonymous in technical geography.
Connotations
Generally neutral. Can evoke imagery of the American West (US) or central Asian steppes (UK).
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in North American English due to prominent geographical features (e.g., Great Plains).
Grammar
How to Use “plains” in a Sentence
the plains of [place name]plains [verb, e.g., stretch, extend][adjective] plainsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plains” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective. The adjective is 'plain'.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective. The adjective is 'plain'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in contexts like tourism, agriculture, or energy (e.g., 'wind farms on the plains').
Academic
Common in geography, ecology, and history.
Everyday
Used in general descriptions of landscape, travel, and weather reports.
Technical
Used in geology, physical geography, and environmental science with specific classifications (e.g., alluvial plains).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plains”
- Misspelling as 'planes'.
- Using singular 'plain' when the plural is more natural for general reference (e.g., 'Cows roam the plain' is possible but 'Cows roam the plains' is more common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are flat, but a plateau is a raised, flat-topped area elevated sharply above the surrounding land, while plains are generally low-lying and not significantly elevated.
No, 'plains' is a noun. The homograph 'plane' can be a verb (to smooth wood) or a noun (for aircraft).
Only when part of a proper name, e.g., 'the Great Plains', 'the Plains Indians'. In general description, it is not capitalised.
The most common error is confusing 'plains' (land) with 'planes' (aircraft or flat surfaces).
Large, flat, treeless areas of land, typically with grasses and low vegetation.
Plains is usually neutral (used in both general and specialized contexts). in register.
Plains: in British English it is pronounced /pleɪnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /pleɪnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “as flat as the plains”
- “plains-speaking (rare, derived from 'plain')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PLAINS are large, flat terrains mainly containing PLANTS and sometimes grains.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPENNESS IS A PLAIN (e.g., 'a plain statement', though this uses the adjective form). SIMPLICITY IS A PLAIN (e.g., 'plain facts').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common collocation with 'plains'?