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

Related Words

• boring 
• distasteful 
• dull 
• uninspired