khaki

American  

[kak-ee, kah-kee] / ˈkæk i, ˈkɑ ki /

noun

• khakis
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• khakilike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• khakis
  plural

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

See Examples For:

khaki khakis

I certainly stood out among the perfectly creased khaki pants and palm combs and top-buttoned flannels contrasted with my clueless bowl haircut and Ninja Turtle suspenders.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Eugene Levert, chain-smoking next to a stack of books while wearing a vertical blue-striped button-down and khaki slacks, looked the scholarly mirror of Doug Lamplugh, in a horizontal blue-striped polo and khaki shorts.

From Slate ● May 4, 2026

Dressed like the Kurdish fighters he once served alongside, Barsirini still wears the khaki shalwar, fitted jacket and scarf wrapped around his waist.

From Barron's ● Mar. 7, 2026

NEW DELHI—On a recent Sunday in India’s capital, Shrey Dixit, a 22-year-old engineering student, proudly drove a khaki green, Indian-made Hyundai sport-utility vehicle off a dealership lot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026

In a drift of khaki pine needles I saw antlers, like Herne the Hunter’s.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

People dressed in Duck Head khakis and tucked-in shirts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

“We generally go khakis and polos, but you know, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” he told him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 2026

Gap, famous for its jeans, khakis, white T-shirts and hoodies, laid out its stores with clothing organised by size and style, which was a pioneering approach at the time.

From BBC ● May 5, 2026

The men, wearing khakis, navy blue shirts and white gaiters concealing their faces, marched down Main Street toward the beach holding a picture of Kirk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2025

Zach walks to the front of the stage, alone in the spotlight, in khakis and a blue blazer with a St. Joseph’s Prep coat of arms affixed to the left pocket.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

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