khaki
Americannoun
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dull yellowish brown.
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a stout, twilled cotton cloth of this color, used especially in making uniforms.
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(used with a plural verb) Usually khakis.
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a uniform made of this cloth, especially a military uniform.
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a garment made of this cloth, especially trousers.
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a similar fabric of wool.
adjective
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of the color khaki.
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made of khaki.
noun
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a dull yellowish-brown colour
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( as adjective )
a khaki background
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a hard-wearing fabric of this colour, used esp for military uniforms
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( as modifier )
a khaki jacket
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Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing khaki
Brown
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Appearing in neutral tones like khaki and beige, the looks were a throwback to the grunge-inspired styles of the 90s.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 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
These are cargo khaki shorts, and I want to kick myself for noticing that detail.
From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi
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.
