khaki

American  

[kak-ee, kah-kee] / ˈkæk i, ˈkɑ ki /

noun

plural

khakis

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

• khakilike adjective

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

Example Sentences

He wore khaki trousers tucked into tall leather boots, a safari jacket, and a pith helmet.

From Literature

The man was seen walking in formation to the war memorial with a colleague, also dressed in a khaki uniform.

From BBC

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

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

They were medium-handsome, in their 70s, and dressed dapperly in khaki slacks and navy sport coats bearing name tags that identified them as Bill and Frank.

From Salon

Related Words

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