# plain sailing

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌpleɪn ˈseɪlɪŋ/

## Definitions
1. The navigation of waters free from hazards or unfavourable winds.
2. Obsolete spelling of plane sailing (“a technique for navigation using the assumption that the journey occurs over a plane or flat surface rather than the actual curved surface of the Earth, which is sufficiently accurate over short distances”).
3. Something that is easy, simple, or straightforward; something that offers no difficulties or trouble.

## Etymology
From plain (adjective) + sailing.
Sense 2 (“something that is easy, simple, or straightforward”) is attested slightly later than plain-sailing (adjective), and so could have been derived from it.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/plain-sailing