plain English

noun

English that does not use any jargon or technical or scientific terminology; simple or easily comprehensible words or language, usually denoting a form restricted by good sense alone, as contrasted with a codified form via controlled natural language.

“I wish these lawyers would give us a plain English summary of their dense legalese.”

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Meanings

nounplain English (uncountable)
  1. uncountableEnglish that does not use any jargon or technical or scientific terminology; simple or easily comprehensible words or language, usually denoting a form restricted by good sense alone, as contrasted with a codified form via controlled natural language.

    I wish these lawyers would give us a plain English summary of their dense legalese.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 通俗英語 /通俗英语
  • 通俗英語 /通俗英语 (tōngsú yīngyǔ)English that does not use any jargon
Finnish selkokieli
  • selkokieliEnglish that does not use any jargon
French langage clair
  • langage clairEnglish that does not use any jargon
Italian linguaggio chiaro
  • linguaggio chiaroEnglish that does not use any jargon
Russian простой английский
  • простой английский (prostoj anglijskij)English that does not use any jargon
Cite this entry
APA

plain English. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plain%20English

MLA

“plain English.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plain%20English. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “plain English,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plain%20English.

Source: plain English on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.