Definition

1. Noun:
   • Ordinary clothing as distinguished from uniforms, work clothes, clerical garb, etc.: "Civilian clothing" refers to the regular, everyday attire worn by people who are not members of the military, police, or other organizations that require a specific uniform. It also distinguishes it from specialized workwear or religious vestments.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After retiring from the army, he was happy to wear civilian clothing every day.
  • The police officer changed into civilian clothing before going to the party.
  • The company's dress code requires civilian clothing, such as business casual attire, not uniforms.

Advanced Usage

• "In civilian clothing": Wearing regular, non-uniform attire.
  • The general was spotted in civilian clothing at the market, unrecognized by most people.
• "Civilian attire": A formal synonym for civilian clothing.
  • The invitation specified "civilian attire," so guests should not wear military dress.

Variants and Related Words

• Civilian (adj/n): Relating to civilians or a person not in the armed services or police.
  • The civilian population was evacuated from the conflict zone.
• Plain clothes (n): Ordinary clothes worn by police or military personnel when not in uniform, often for investigative purposes. This is a related but distinct concept, as it implies the wearer's official role is concealed.
  • The detective worked in plain clothes to blend in with the crowd.

Synonyms

• Civilian dress: Everyday, non-uniform clothing.
• Street clothes: Informal term for ordinary clothing worn in public.
• Mufti: A term, especially in British English, for civilian clothes worn by a person who usually wears a uniform.

Related Phrases

• Out of uniform: Not wearing one's official uniform.
  • Soldiers are not allowed to enter the base out of uniform unless in approved civilian clothing.

Related Idioms

• (To be) in civvies: An informal idiom meaning to be dressed in civilian clothing.
  • It's strange to see the sergeant in civvies instead of his usual fatigues.

Noun

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