civilian clothes

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilian clothes¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Reports suggest armed Hamas units have already deployed across several districts, some wearing civilian clothes and others in the blue uniforms of the Gaza police.

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Reports from Gaza suggest that armed Hamas units have already deployed across several districts, some wearing civilian clothes and others in the blue uniforms of the Gaza police.

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Mas'ud has told his legal team that he was alone in a small room when three men in civilian clothes came in.

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The guards did not admit the visitors, who were wearing civilian clothes.

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One witness told BBC Arabic's Middle East daily programme that he saw a group of young men dressed in civilian clothes and with their faces completely covered when he arrived in the area to get a box of food aid from the GHF site.

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