plain·clothes
ˈplān-ˈklō(t͟h)z 
: dressed in civilian clothes while on duty
—used especially of a police officer
: civilian clothes : the dress of an ordinary citizen
… he had brought in a stenographer, more cops, and an older man in plain clothes.—
E. L. Doctorow
—used especially in describing the clothes of a police officerE. L. Doctorowa detective in plain clothes
Examples of plainclothes in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 9 June 2020
The agents are part of the Ohio Investigative Unit, which is made up of plainclothes peace officers responsible for enforcing Ohio’s alcohol, tobacco and food stamp fraud laws.
—Sean McDonnell/akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati.com, 22 May 2020
Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Rather than sit in his normal seat to watch Sunday’s game, Harrison stood in the tunnel at the AAC between two men who appeared to be plain clothes security.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plainclothes
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Adjective
In the early morning hours of February 4, 1999, Amadou was standing outside his building when four white plainclothes officers drove by.
—CBS News, 9 June 2020
The agents are part of the Ohio Investigative Unit, which is made up of plainclothes peace officers responsible for enforcing Ohio’s alcohol, tobacco and food stamp fraud laws.
—Sean McDonnell/akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati.com, 22 May 2020
Noun
The officers would be in plain clothes during the school day, but in uniform for evening school events.
—Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Rather than sit in his normal seat to watch Sunday’s game, Harrison stood in the tunnel at the AAC between two men who appeared to be plain clothes security.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plainclothes
Cite this Entry
“Plainclothes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plainclothes. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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plainclothes
adjective
plain·clothes
ˈplān-ˈklōz, -ˈklōt͟hz
: dressed in civilian clothes while on duty
—used especially of a police officer
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