plainclothes

1 of 2

adjective

plain·​clothes ˈplān-ˈklō(t͟h)z How to pronounce plainclothes (audio)
: dressed in civilian clothes while on duty
—used especially of a police officer

plain clothes

2 of 2

noun

: 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 officer
a detective in plain clothes

Examples of plainclothes in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
His plainclothes security agents loiter and listen in cafes and hotel lobbies. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2020 Kneeling on the top of Wright's back or neck to keep him down, the plainclothes officer started jawing and cursing at bystanders. — Michael R. Sisak, USA TODAY, 4 May 2020
Noun
Winters was in plain clothes wearing a light blue button-up shirt, khaki pants and casual black shoes, the report notes. — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Dec. 2025 Footage from the scene shows the group obeying police instructions when a plain clothes officer grabbed Salman’s hand, twisting it and causing a fracture in her wrist. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plainclothes

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plainclothes was in 1822

Rhymes for plainclothes

See All Rhymes for plainclothes

Browse Nearby Words

plain chocolate
plainclothes
plain clothes
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Cite this Entry

“Plainclothes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plainclothes. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

plainclothes

adjective
plain·​clothes ˈplān-ˈklōz, -ˈklōt͟hz How to pronounce plainclothes (audio)
: dressed in civilian clothes while on duty
—used especially of a police officer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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