plain-clothed
Not in uniform
Plain-clothed describes someone, typically a police officer or security personnel, wearing ordinary civilian clothing rather than a uniform: Plain-clothed detectives watched the building from an unmarked car.
The term emphasizes concealment of official status.
Also spelled plainclothes as an adjective: a plainclothes officer.
Professional crime investigator
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
- investigationFormal examination of facts
incognito · covert · unmarked · plainclothes · tail · shadowing · infiltration · informant
Non-military person
- casualRelaxed and informal
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- everydayOccurring each day
- nondescriptWithout distinguishing qualities
unassuming · regular · simple · modest · unremarkable · inconspicuous · informal · unadorned
detective
Professional crime investigator
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
investigation · incognito · covert · unmarked · plainclothes · tail · shadowing · infiltration · informant · disguised
civilian
Non-military person
nondescript · unassuming · regular · simple · modest · unremarkable · inconspicuous · informal · unadorned · understated
plain-clotheduniformed
Wearing prescribed outfit
liveried · suited and booted · badged · robed · identifiable
plain-clothedmarked
Bearing an indicator
identifiable · overt · conspicuous · badged · undercover
plain, clothed, plainly, plainness, plains, plainer, plainest, clothe, clothes