denim

American  

[den-uhm] / ˈdɛn əm /

noun

1. a heavy, Z-twist, twill cotton for jeans, overalls, and other work and leisure garments.

2. a similar fabric of finer quality, for covering cushions, furniture, etc.

3. (used with a plural verb) denims, a garment, especially trousers or overalls, made of denim.

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denim British  

/ ˈdɛnɪm /

noun

1. 1. a hard-wearing twill-weave cotton fabric used for trousers, work clothes, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a denim jacket

2. 1. a similar lighter fabric used in upholstery

   2. ( as modifier )

      denim cushion covers

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Etymology

Origin of denim

1685–95; < French: short for serge de Nîmes serge of Nîmes

Explanation

Denim is a kind of heavy cotton material that's used to make jeans. Denim is usually dark blue, and mostly used to make durable work wear, like jeans and overalls. In some places, people call blue jeans denims. The word comes from a French phrase serge de Nîmes, "serge from Nîmes, France." "Serge" is a sturdy twill fabric, and Nîmes is a town where it was famously made. Denim was first used in American English around 1850.

Example Sentences

Denim jeans are traditionally workwear, meant to stand up to the repetitive stresses of laboring without tearing easily.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2025

These, Kurt, are the boys who will stop your little game: Suede, Saint Etienne, Pulp, Denim and the Auteurs.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2023

At one point during the party, a woman skeptically asked, “We can really take whatever we want?” after spotting a display of clothing from Mother Denim, which was co-sponsoring the event, among other items.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2023

Denim DeShields and Desiree Ware both had 14 points for UAB, which shot 46%.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 26, 2022

Grandma says, “Is this about the Denim Show, Shayleen? Another shopping channel event? Drum already said no to that, sweetie.”

From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor