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.

---

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

---

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

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

The office also shared a photograph seeming to show Suu Kyi sitting flanked by two men -- one in a khaki shirt and another in a police uniform.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Dressed in a crisp white button up shirt and khaki pants, Doncic sat next to Reaves on the bench.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Dressed in blue and orange jail shirts and khaki pants, the two wore headphones to listen to a Spanish translation during the hearing, an attorney sitting between them.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

He wore crisp khaki pants, a light blue oxford shirt, and a navy-blue tie and blazer.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

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