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adj

plainclothes

adj
1
Wearing ordinary civilian clothing rather than a uniform, especially of police officers.
"Two plainclothes detectives watched the building from across the street."

How to Use Plainclothes

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes police or security staff dressed as ordinary civilians rather than in uniform, usually to avoid being noticed.

Common pairings
plainclothes officer plainclothes detective
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Two _____ detectives watched the building from across the street.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial