kimono

American  

[kuh-moh-nuh, -noh] / kəˈmoʊ nə, -noʊ /

noun

plural

kimonos

1. a loose, wide-sleeved robe, fastened at the waist with a wide sash, characteristic of Japanese costume.

2. a woman's loose dressing gown.

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kimono British  

/ kɪˈməʊnəʊ /

noun

1. a loose sashed ankle-length garment with wide sleeves, worn in Japan

2. any garment copied from this

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Other Word Forms

• kimonoed adjective

Etymology

Origin of kimono

1885–90; < Japanese: clothing, garb, equivalent to ki wear + mono thing

Explanation

A kimono is a lightweight Japanese robe. You might buy a kimono as a gift for your mom when you travel to Tokyo. A traditional kimono is nearly floor length, loose-fitting and with very wide sleeves. The cloth belt that ties around the waist of a kimono is called an obi. Both men and women wear kimonos, though they're more frequently worn by women. The word kimono literally means "a thing to wear" or "a thing to put on," from the Japanese roots ki, "wear," and mono, "thing."

Example Sentences

"Nowadays, young Japanese people... are not very interested that much in traditional art and in kimono."

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The titular “hare with the amber eyes” in Edmund de Waal’s memoir is a netsuke, a tiny Japanese carving intended as a fastener for use with a kimono.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In Osaka, Japan, young women dressed in traditional kimono took part in a Shinto ritual procession to mark the end of the year at Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

The staff wore kimono pajamas and sat on smiling Murakami flower pillows.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

He threw the bag into the air, said “Arigatō” a little rudely, kind of like a smart aleck, then said, “Next time I’ll bring you something. Maybe a kimono? And then you’ll give me rice.”

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

Related Words

• bathrobe
• costume
• dress
• frock
• garment
• vestment