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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.

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic uncertainty, California lawmakers approved a no-frills state budget that came in at $202 billion.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

“Anecdotally, people are kind of bored by the clean, no-frills makeup look” and are into more creative, bolder looks as a means of self-expression, she said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 7, 2026

But the hyperlocal, no-frills approach leaves small banks with far less of a financial cushion when times get tough.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

In 1977, a swashbuckling British entrepreneur named Freddy Laker launched the Skytrain, a no-frills, low-fare flight between London and New York.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 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