Definition

Noun: 1. Ordinary clothing as distinguished from uniforms, work clothes, clerical garb, etc.: Clothing worn by people who are not members of the military, police, or other organizations with a prescribed uniform. It refers to everyday, non-official attire.

Usage

This noun is typically used to describe the concept of non-uniform clothing, often in contrast to official or occupational attire. It is commonly used in contexts involving military personnel, law enforcement, or other uniformed services.

Examples

• The police officer was easily spotted in the crowd because he was not in civilian dress.
• After retiring from the army, he happily packed away his uniforms and returned to civilian dress.
• The regulation requires all personnel to wear their uniforms while on base; civilian dress is not permitted.

Advanced Usage

• "In civilian dress": This prepositional phrase is frequently used to describe someone who is wearing ordinary clothes instead of a uniform.
  • The general visited the town in civilian dress to avoid drawing attention.

Variants and Related Words

• Civilian clothes (noun phrase): A common synonym with identical meaning.
  • He changed into his civilian clothes before leaving the base.
• Civvies (noun, informal/slang): A casual, shortened form of "civilian clothes."
  • The sailors were excited to wear their civvies on shore leave.

Synonyms

• Plain clothes: Often used specifically for police or detectives not in uniform.
• Mufti: A term, especially in British English, for civilian clothes worn by someone who normally wears a uniform.
• Everyday wear / ordinary clothes: General terms for non-specialized attire.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Out of uniform: A phrase meaning not wearing one's prescribed official clothing.
  • Soldiers are not allowed to be out of uniform while on duty.

Noun

1. ordinary clothing as distinguished from uniforms, work clothes, clerical garb, etc.