If I eat bread without putting butter or anything on it, can I call it "plain bread"?

tamguatlayIf I eat bread without putting butter or anything on it, can I call it "plain bread"?Eg, I like to eat plain bread.

Correct. You can even say it like this: I like to eat bread plain.

CJ

Thanks, CJ.

What about water? If I like to drink boiled water, which has cooled down, can I say "I like to drink plain water"?

tamguatlaycan I say "I like to drink plain water"?

You can, but I think you're smart enough to know that "plain water" does not mean "water that has been boiled and then cooled down" and nobody would ever guess that you meant something so complicated if you said only "plain water". The single word "plain" cannot convey all that information. If it did, then "

tamguatlayWhat about water? If I like to drink boiled water, which has cooled down, can I say "I like to drink plain water"?

I think "lukewarm" (or perhaps "tepid") would be much more appropriate, especially when talking about tea or coffee. If the intended meaning is not completely clear from the context, you can always add "boiled": I like to drink lukewa

tamguatlayThanks, CJ.What about water? If I like to drink boiled water, which has cooled down, can I say "I like to drink plain water"?

"I like to drink boiled water." If it was still hot, it would be, "I like to drink boiling water."

CalifJim"Plain water" just means water that is not extraordinary in any way — not having any additives like flavoring, for example.

CJ is correct. I was trying to provide sufficient context, but ended making a mess of everything.

So it is OK to say "I want plain water" when no additive is added to the water.

tamguatlaySo it is OK to say "I want plain water" when no additive is added to the water.

Correct.

CJ