About Plain Dictionary

Plain Dictionary explains English idioms and phrases in plain words, for students, writers and people learning English. It has 284 idioms today, a reverse dictionary, a cliche finder and a guide to Shakespeare's most famous lines, and it grows over time.

How entries are written

Every meaning, explanation and example is written for this site. Origins follow what word historians have found; where nobody knows for sure, we say so, and where a popular story about a phrase is not supported by the records, we say that too. Shakespeare quotes are checked word for word against the text of the plays.

Sources

The reverse dictionary uses WordNet 3.1, a free lexical database from Princeton University (licence; WordNet 3.1 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University, all rights reserved). Shakespeare's works are in the public domain.

Corrections

Spotted a mistake, or know a better origin story with evidence behind it? Email us at hello@plaindictionary.com.

Who runs it

Plain Dictionary is run by Netspark OÜ (registry code 17056772), Kassisilma 14, Räni alevik, 61708 Tartu maakond, Estonia, which also publishes word and vocabulary sites.