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
—used especially in describing the clothes of a police officer
… he had brought in a stenographer, more cops, and an older man in plain clothes.—
E. L. Doctorow
E. L. Doctorow
a 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
Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 SkyCal flew over the ongoing investigation on Wednesday afternoon, where people in plain clothes and hazardous materials gear were seen walking in and out of the home's garage. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plainclothes
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
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
Footage shows the group acquiescing to the police instructions when an officer in plain clothes – possibly indicating a special police unit – grabbed Salman’s hand, twisting it and causing a fracture in the wrist. —Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 SkyCal flew over the ongoing investigation on Wednesday afternoon, where people in plain clothes and hazardous materials gear were seen walking in and out of the home's garage. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plainclothes
Cite this Entry
“Plainclothes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/plainclothes. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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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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