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

She always appeared to call from a police station, dressed in a crisp khaki uniform and cap, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

One manufacturer’s idea of khaki or olive drab, for example, might not match another’s—a serious problem when thousands of yards of uniform fabric had to be dyed the same shade.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Thursday, wearing green khaki prison jumpsuits, Maduro and his wife sat quietly with several lawyers in-between them as they listened to a translation of the arguments through headphones.

From BBC

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

Oasis's Noel Gallagher kept it simple on the red carpet, wearing a khaki green bomber jacket.

From BBC

Related Words

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