plain clothes
/'plein'klouðz/
Definition
Noun: - Ordinary civilian clothing: Clothing that is not a uniform, work attire, or special garb, typically worn to avoid identification with a specific profession, organization, or official capacity.
Usage
- As a noun (often used attributively): The term describes the state of wearing non-uniform clothing or the clothing itself.
- The officers were in plain clothes to blend in with the crowd.
- The detective's plain clothes made him indistinguishable from the other passengers.
Advanced Usage
- "plainclothes" (adjective or attributive noun): Used to describe a person, especially a police officer, who wears ordinary clothes while on duty to avoid being recognized.
- A plainclothes officer was assigned to surveillance.
- The security detail included plainclothes agents.
Variants and Related Words
- Plainclothesman (noun, dated): A police officer or detective who wears civilian clothes on duty.
- Undercover: While similar, "undercover" more strongly implies a secret identity or role for investigative purposes, whereas "plain clothes" simply denotes the absence of a uniform.
Synonyms
- Civilian clothes
- Mufti (especially British English, referring to civilian clothes worn by someone who usually wears a uniform)
- Street clothes
Related Phrases
- In plain clothes: The common phrase describing the state of wearing such attire.
- The military personnel traveled in plain clothes.
- Plain clothes duty: An assignment where an official wears civilian clothing.
- She was assigned to plain clothes duty for the investigation.
Noun
-
ordinary clothing as distinguished from uniforms, work clothes, clerical garb, etc.
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