plain vanilla

or plain-va·nil·la

[ pleyn-vuh-nil-uh ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. having no embellishments, extra equipment, elaborate packaging, etc.; plain; simple; down-to-earth:

   I want a plain vanilla car without a lot of chrome trim.

Word History and Origins

Origin of plain vanilla¹

In allusion to vanilla ice cream, taken to be the most basic flavor

Example Sentences

Even plain vanilla is dazzling—smooth and pure beyond description.

From The Daily Beast

As a plain-vanilla candidate, Romney is never going to win the excitement primary.

From The Daily Beast

Howard Kurtz on why the quietest campaign may be just the ticket for the plain-vanilla front-runner.

From The Daily Beast

Putting all that money into a plain-vanilla S&P 500 index fund would have lost us just 4.4 percent during that time.

From The Daily Beast

"A plain vanilla—please rush it along," commanded the stranger.

From Project Gutenberg

For ice cream have a boat of plain vanilla filled with luscious fresh strawberries.

From Project Gutenberg

Pee-wee ordered plain vanilla, because one color always looks bigger than two.

From Project Gutenberg

“I think I shall have plain vanilla,” added Aunt Betty, laughing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boring
• distasteful
• dull
• uninspired