khaki

American  

[kak-ee, kah-kee] / ˈkæk i, ˈkɑ ki /

noun

plural

khakis

1. dull yellowish brown.

2. a stout, twilled cotton cloth of this color, used especially in making uniforms.

3. (used with a plural verb) Usually khakis.

   1. a uniform made of this cloth, especially a military uniform.

   2. a garment made of this cloth, especially trousers.

4. a similar fabric of wool.

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adjective

1. of the color khaki.

2. made of khaki.

khaki British  

/ ˈkɑːkɪ /

noun

1. 1. a dull yellowish-brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a khaki background

2. 1. a hard-wearing fabric of this colour, used esp for military uniforms

   2. ( as modifier )

      a khaki jacket

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Other Word Forms

• khakilike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of khaki

First recorded in 1855–60; from Urdu, from Persian khākī “dusty,” equivalent to khāk “dust” + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Explanation

Khaki is a type of fabric commonly used in uniforms, and the typical color of this fabric is also known as khaki. If you wear khaki pants and a white t-shirt every day, you might try spicing up your wardrobe with a bright floral print or a purple fedora. Khaki is a heavy-duty cotton fabric in a drab yellowish-brown shade. Khaki uniforms became common in the military because the fabric is both sturdy and inconspicuous. After British troops started wearing khaki in the 19th century, they became known as "the Khakis." Today a pair of khakis is just your everyday cotton trousers — you can also call them chinos. Khaki comes from the Persian word for "dust," khak.

Example Sentences

Being a male-female duo was important, Khaki says: "I wouldn't be able to enter the worlds that Mohammadreza could easily enter, and vice versa."

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Iranian American filmmakers Mohammadreza Eyni and Sara Khaki were well into the eight-year production of “Cutting Through Rocks” when they became recipients of a 2020 Sundance Documentary Fund grant.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

The documentary grand jury prize went to “Cutting Through Rocks,” directed by Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Reza Eyni, which follows a groundbreaking councilwoman in a rural Iranian village as she fights against patriarchal traditions.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

The 38-inch long coat has a stylish removable belt and hood and is available in seven colors, including black, British Khaki, moss, steel blue, boysenberry, chili red and terracotta.

From Fox News • Nov. 29, 2021

I wondered if it was the same park where Sohrab and I sat on a rooftop and watched the sun set over our Khaki Kingdom.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

Related Words

• attire
• costume
• dress
• garb
• gown
• regalia
• robe
• suit