What does plainclothes mean?
Plainclothes means ordinary civilian clothing worn instead of a uniform. The word is especially common in reference to police officers, detectives, security personnel, and members of the military who are on duty but do not wear their official uniform. In this context, the clothing is ordinary in appearance but the wearer may have an official or undercover role, giving the expression a connotation of concealed identity or discreet activity. The term is normally used attributively, as in "plainclothes officers," or in the phrase "in plainclothes." Although it can describe any civilian clothing worn in place of a uniform, it is not simply another word for clothes in general. Its usefulness lies in capturing the contrast between an outward appearance of ordinary life and a specialized professional role.
Ordinary civilian clothes worn instead of a uniform.
"The agent arrived at the station in plainclothes."
Common in the phrases "in plainclothes" and "out of plainclothes."
Denoting or involving a person wearing ordinary civilian clothes instead of a uniform.
"Plainclothes officers monitored the airport."
Usually used before a noun, especially when referring to police, security personnel, detectives, or military members.
No distinct plural form is normally used; the expression refers to clothing as a whole.
"Several officers were in plainclothes."
A detective in plainclothes often looks ordinary at first, which is exactly the point.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plainclothes come from?
Plainclothes is a compound that became established in 19th-century English. Its first element, plain, comes through Anglo-French from Latin planus, meaning "flat," "level," and by extension "simple" or "ordinary." Clothes continues the Middle English plural form of cloth, with roots in Old English clōþ and Old French clote; together the compound emphasizes clothing that is ordinary rather than official or uniformed.
Related word forms
How plainclothes is actually used
The term is especially associated with police, detectives, security agents, and military personnel who need to blend into ordinary surroundings. It is commonly used attributively, as in "plainclothes officers," or after "in," as in "in plainclothes." The expression is not usually used for clothing that is merely simple or unadorned.
Easily confused with plainclothes
Clothes means clothing in general, whereas plainclothes specifically means ordinary civilian clothing worn instead of a uniform.
Plain can mean ordinary, unadorned, or straightforward, while plainclothes refers specifically to civilian clothing worn in place of a uniform.