civilian clothes

American  

plural noun

1. everyday or ordinary clothing, as distinguished from a military uniform.

2. Informal. ordinary clothing as distinguished from a uniform, clerical garb, or work clothes.

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Etymology

Origin of civilian clothes

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

civilian clothes

One video outside a military recruitment office shows men in civilian clothes sitting inside a military van barricaded by crying women.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

Its officers, who wear civilian clothes, have a network of undercover agents and informants dedicated to monitoring and infiltrating dissident movements and independent groups such as art collectives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

Corporal Ismaila Ceesay, a 28-year-old information management specialist from Stratford, east London, said part of the exercise was arriving in civilian clothes and changing into uniform only once through the secure barriers.

From BBC ● May 24, 2026

Tuesday's lower house vote could see him exchange his uniform for civilian clothes, as one of the three vice-presidents will go on to be chosen as president by parliament.

From Barron's ● Mar. 31, 2026

It was the first time that Ben had noticed that his father had not changed into his civilian clothes since he had gotten home.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy