plain clothes

American  

Or plainclothes

plural noun

1. clothing other than one's uniform, especially civilian clothes worn on duty by a police officer.

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plain clothes British  

plural noun

1. 1. ordinary clothes, as distinguished from uniform, as worn by a police detective on duty

   2. ( as modifier )

      a plain-clothes policeman

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Other Word Forms

• plain-clothes adjective
• plainclothes adjective

Etymology

Origin of plain clothes

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

They shouldn’t wear plain clothes but uniforms that identify their agency.

From The Wall Street Journal

An M23 official confirmed to AFP Thursday that "police and soldiers in plain clothes" were still in Uvira as well as "our intelligence services".

From Barron's

A Fullerton police officer intervened when he saw a man in plain clothes pointing a gun at a female driver on a busy street in Santa Ana.

From Los Angeles Times

In some cases, the men wore plain clothes and refused to identify themselves.

From Salon

The government says it has strengthened powers by enabling plain clothes officers to inspect Blue Badges and confiscate those being used misused.

From BBC