civilian clothing
1
2.0
- noun
- /sɪˈvɪljən ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
:
ropa civil
- After retiring from the service, she preferred to wear civilian clothing during her daily activities.
- dressed in civilian clothing
- wear civilian clothing
- man in civilian clothing
We're still in civilian clothes at that time.
- We're still in civilian clothes at that time.
- You know, the terrorists now morphed back into civilian clothes and become civilians again.
- Apparently there was always someone protecting me, whether they were dressed in a military uniform or civilian clothes.
- Handbags, hand baggage, weapons and personal because we're in civilian clothes at this stage carrying what you're going to get changed into.
Examples
-
When he finally came out, two men in civilian clothing grabbed his arms and said, "We want to talk to you, young man," and they took him back to his room.
Fiction book (2000) -
In a Pentagon office, a man in civilian clothing is on the phone, his back to the screen.
Fiction book (1991) -
Just before he left Paris, he had been told to wear civilian clothing.
Fiction book (1995) -
I suppose I'm going to have to get used to you in civilian clothing again.
-
A moment later, one of them opened; and a tall, blond young man in civilian clothing stepped inside.
Fiction book (2000) -
It is not clear who the victims are, although some are certainly wearing civilian clothing.
Blog text (13) -
As we move towards them, we can see that the two men are Scotty and Chekov, dressed in civilian clothing.
Fiction book (1994) -
So that's why I make it a point to say thank you to any military service member, whether they are wearing their B.D.U. or are in civilian clothing.
Blog text (23) -
Many of today's wars are fought in dense urban environments, largely between uniformed state militaries and guerrillas in civilian clothing.
Academic text (2011) -
He decided to blend in with the locals by wearing civilian clothing instead of his military uniform.
Synonyms
8
1.8
Everyday clothes you wear in public, not a uniform
1
3.6
Ordinary clothes worn by people who are not soldiers, police, or religious leaders
Clothes people wear when they are not in uniform
Everyday clothes that are not uniforms or work clothes
Clothes that are not a uniform, like jeans and a T-shirt
Antonyms
How Casual
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'civilian' (non-military) modifying 'clothing' (garments); the adjective+noun combination yields the ordinary, literal sense. This follows a common English pattern with clear equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the phrase.
Etymology
The phrase civilian clothing comes from the idea of a civilian, someone who is not in the army or police, wearing normal clothing, not a 'uniform'. So 'civilian clothing' means the ordinary clothes people wear when they are not in uniform.