plain text

NOUN

ordinary readable form

Synonyms

WEAK

ASCII clear text decoded plaintext unencrypted text vanilla text

Antonyms

WEAK

ciphertext encoded encrypted rich text

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It focuses tightly on the plain text of a law and disregards legislative history—committee reports, floor debates, and the like—as irrelevant.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

"The scrambled plain text was found, but without the coding method or the key. This is a very important distinction," he separately told a news conference in November.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

"Turns out that jokes are way less funny if people don't know the context and the delivery is in plain text," a subsequent post read.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2024

"Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text," he added.

From Salon • Sep. 16, 2024

Again, ZIPped is better, since it avoids certain damage that can happen to a plain text e-mail along the way.

From The Project Gutenberg FAQ 2002 by Tinsley, Jim