Search Dictionary
Definition of plainclothesman

plainclothesman

/ˈpleɪnˌkloʊðzmən/
plain · clothes · man
Plural:plainclothesmen
JUMP TO:

plainclothesman Lexical Profile

plainclothesman Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A police officer or detective who wears ordinary civilian attire rather than an official uniform while on duty in order to avoid detection.

Example

"A plainclothesman mingling with the commuters observed the suspect boarding the afternoon train."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for plainclothesman

Word Nuance & Usage

In contemporary professional and journalistic contexts, gender-neutral alternatives such as 'plainclothes officer' or 'undercover detective' are frequently preferred.

• Nearby Words

plain
plain-bellied water snake
plainclothes
plainclothesman
plainly
plainness
plains garter snake

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Plainclothesman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/plainclothesman
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.