a tough, twilled cotton cloth used for uniforms, sports clothes, etc.
Usually chinos trousers made of this material.
An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; of uncertain origin
From Mexican Spanish; further etymology disputed
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
WSJ | Buy Side: See our review of the chino shorts one Buy Side editor wears all summer long.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
The Spanish also began importing papel chino — thin, tissue-like paper from China, often used to wrap other goods.
From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2024
They include a fit-and-flare shape jersey dress, V-neck tunic, tailored jumpsuit, jersey tees and a chino knee-length skirt.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2023
Thus, exaggeratedly oversize berets mixed with clashing-color prints on silk, standout loose wool coats in maize, printed silk neck scarves, chunky sheeny leather loafers, and high-waisted chino pants.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2022
For a moment I thought of digging out New York clothes and putting on a puff for the boy, but I dropped that one and settled for clean chino slacks and a knitted shirt.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
