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noun

civvies

SIHV-eez

Civvies (noun) means Ordinary, non-military clothing, especially as worn by someone who is normally in uniform. Example: “The soldiers changed into civvies before heading into town.”

noun
1
Ordinary, non-military clothing, especially as worn by someone who is normally in uniform.
"The soldiers changed into civvies before heading into town."

How to use civvies

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRegular clothes, not a uniform — mostly used by or about military/police personnel.

When to use it

Informal, mainly British/military slang.

Common pairings
dressed in civvies wear civvies
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The soldiers changed into _____ before heading into town.

Etymology

A shortened, informal form of "civilian clothes."

civies

Rhymes for civvies

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Frequently asked questions

What does “civvies” mean?

The word “civvies” means ordinary, non-military clothing, especially as worn by someone who is normally in uniform. In plain terms, regular clothes, not a uniform — mostly used by or about military/police personnel.

How do you pronounce “civvies”?

“Civvies” is pronounced SIHV-eez (/ˈsɪv.iz/ in IPA).

How do you use “civvies” in a sentence?

Here is “civvies” used in a sentence: “The soldiers changed into civvies before heading into town.”

What part of speech is “civvies”?

“Civvies” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial