plain-vanilla

[pleyn-vuh-nil-uh] /ˈpleɪn vəˈnɪl ə/

adjective, Informal.

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.

Origin

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

Slang definitions & phrases for plain vanilla

adjective phrase

Unadorned; simple; basic: more lushly appointed variants of plain vanilla family cars are due to arrive

[1970s+; fr vanilla ice cream, considered less fancy than other flavors]