plain-vanilla

adjective

plain-va·​nil·​la
: lacking special features or qualities : basic

Examples of plain-vanilla in a Sentence

we decided to buy the plain-vanilla model because we don't have a lot of money to spend on extras
Recent Examples on the Web Vanguard pioneered this plain-vanilla, total-market approach with index funds with clear labels, like Vanguard Total Stock Market, Vanguard Total Bond Market and Vanguard Total International Stock Market. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 10 May 2024 Our plain-vanilla incentives are 35% plus a 2% to 4% percent kicker for diversity. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plain-vanilla.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plain-vanilla was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near plain-vanilla

Cite this Entry

“Plain-vanilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plain-vanilla. Accessed 21 May. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!