Definitions

no-frills

[noh-frilz] / ˈnoʊˌfrɪlz /

ADJECTIVE

basic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

elemental essential key main necessary primary primitive underlying vital

STRONG

capital central chief principal radical

WEAK

basal indispensable inherent intrinsic substratal

Antonyms

STRONGEST

auxiliary inessential insignificant minor nonessential secondary unimportant unnecessary

STRONG

extra

WEAK

additional outside peripheral

ADJECTIVE

plain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

austere pure simple stark unvarnished

STRONG

bare clean dry muted restrained spartan vanilla

WEAK

bare-bones discreet modest severe stripped down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

indefinite

WEAK

abnormal abstruse ambiguous attractive beautiful complex complicated decorated difficult dressed-up embellished extraordinary formal hidden imperceptible incomprehensible intricate obscure obscured ornate pretty unclear uncommon vague

ADJECTIVE

unembellished

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bare-bones basic plain unadorned undecorated

Antonyms

WEAK

adorned decorated embellished fancy ornate

NOUN

basics

Synonyms

STRONG

ABC's elements essentials foundation nitty-gritty principles rudiments

WEAK

bare bones brass tacks first steps nuts and bolts the three R's

NOUN

nuts and bolts

Synonyms

WEAK

bare bones basic details basics brass tacks essentials fundamentals innards inner workings mechanics nitty-gritty no frills practical details practicalities workings

NOUN

bare-bones

Synonyms

WEAK

basic facts basics core essential elements frame skeleton undercarriage

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.

New Zealand are settled, no-frills and battle-hardened - everything England are not.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

The no-frills airline requires at least one parent to sit with children aged two to 11 during a flight, but that means they must pay for what it calls a "mandatory family seat".

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a no-frills cheese pizza.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Where to Stay: Around Hawley and Honesdale—the towns near camps like IHC and Trail’s End—there are plenty of no-frills inns to choose from.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

I drank lots of yogurt smoothies and ate lots of low-salt no-frills tortilla chips.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

no-frills

Example Sentences

Related Words