How to pronounce plainclothes
Say it like PLAYN-klohz. Plainclothes has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce plainclothes. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PLAYN
- klohz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Plainclothes pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PLAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- klohzGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of plainclothes
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: PLAYN-klohz.
What does plainclothes mean?
- Of a police officer, wearing ordinary civilian clothes instead of a uniform, in order to avoid detection.
- Ordinary civilian clothes, rather than uniform.
Questions about saying plainclothes
How do you pronounce plainclothes?
Say PLAYN-klohz. The American pronunciation is /ˈpleɪnˌkloʊz/. In British English it is /ˈpleɪnˌkləʊz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in plainclothes?
Plainclothes has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAYN). Broken into parts: PLAYN · klohz.
Is plainclothes pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈpleɪnˌkləʊz/ (PLAYN-klohz).