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

He reflects on getting dogs, what’s next for the reality show and his iconic khaki shorts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 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 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 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

He was a short, stocky man dressed in khaki pants and a short-sleeved shirt, half tucked in.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

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

We get multiple nondescriptive lists: khakis, leather jackets, flannels, baggy denim, work jeackets, graphic T-shirts, sweaters and rugby tops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

In college I was skipped for an intramural team because a girl reviewing the candidates found a photo of me online, slumping in huge khakis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

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

The red mud dried on his khakis like the blood of a slain beast.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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