vanilla

[vuh-nil-uh, -nel-uh] / vəˈnɪl ə, -ˈnɛl ə /

ADJECTIVE

simple, unadorned

Synonyms

STRONG

clean plain rustic

WEAK

austere elementary folksy homely humble inelaborate mid modest pure and simple uncluttered uncomplicated undecorated unelaborate unembellished unornamented unostentatious unpretentious your basic

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.

The Hartford fund also benefits from diversification, with exposure that goes beyond plain vanilla U.S.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Despite the heavy breathing, Heathcliff and Catherine’s chemistry is pretty vanilla.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

The court heard Nath - after realising he had been "rumbled" - threw the bottle of Madagascar vanilla extract into a toilet cistern but it was later recovered by police.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

“It’s sparkling water, sugar-free pineapple, sugar-free peach, sugar-free vanilla, raspberry purée with a fresh lime.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

For dessert we had a peanut butter and jam sandwich or vanilla ice cream.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Vocabulary lists containing vanilla

White

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National Cookie Day

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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