Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: Mufti

What does it mean?

In British English, mufti refers to plain clothes worn by a person who normally wears a uniform, such as a soldier or a police officer. It’s also commonly used in schools to describe a "non-uniform day" (a "mufti day"). It carries a sense of casualness and relief from the strictness of a uniform, allowing personality to shine through.

Is it positive or negative?

Neutral. It’s a practical term used to describe a change in dress code.

When do you use it?

You’ll mostly hear this in schools (for non-uniform days) or when talking about people in the armed forces or police service who are off-duty. However, it's occasionally used in office settings that usually have a strict dress code.

Examples

Example 1: "Friday is a mufti day at school, so we all have to bring a pound for charity."

Example 2: "He was dressed in mufti, so I didn't recognize him as a police officer at first."

Question for you

Did you have 'mufti days' at your school, or did you have to wear a uniform every single day?

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