plain clothes

Or plainclothes

plural noun

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

plain clothes

plural noun

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of plain clothes¹

First recorded in 1815–25

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Three detectives in plain clothes park their unmarked car near a large detached house and knock on the front door.

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An agent in plain clothes in the courtroom came out to signal to agents in the hallway, one wearing a red flannel shirt, when an immigrant subject to detainment was about to exit.

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Video captured by a member of the public shows officers wearing balaclavas and plain clothes dragging a man through a pedestrianised area of Swindon town centre.

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Passengers saw him being searched by plain clothes and uniformed officers before the bus was allowed to move on.

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On 29 August 2023, he was taken from his home at midnight by RAB officers, some in uniform and others dressed in plain clothes.

From

plain chocolate plainclothesman

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