khaki

[ kak-ee, kah-kee ]

noun

, plural khak·is.

1. dull yellowish brown.
2. a stout, twilled cotton cloth of this color, used especially in making uniforms.
3. Usually khakis. (used with a plural verb)
   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.

adjective

1. of the color khaki.
2. made of khaki.

khaki

/ 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

Other Words From

• khaki·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of khaki¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from Urdu, from Persian khākī “dusty,” equivalent to khāk “dust” + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of khaki¹

C19: from Urdu, from Persian: dusty, from khāk dust

Example Sentences

Some wore the Trump uniform of tan khakis and a white dress shirt.

From Salon

He’s like Clark Kent with peach fuzz: tall, slender, soft-spoken, favoring khakis and long-sleeved shirts and more earnest than a Peace Corps volunteer.

From Los Angeles Times

Flipping through the bins is new customer Justin Levine, 22, in black jacket and khakis, already holding two records in his hands: Mac Demarco’s “This Old Dog” and the Velvet Underground classic “Loaded.”

From Los Angeles Times

When considering his eccentric head coach known for tucking his shirts into his khakis and his golden-armed quarterback with flowing blonde hair, wide receiver Derius Davis doesn’t see many similarities.

From Los Angeles Times

Everywhere one looked at the Milwaukee RNC, packs of men in their 20s and 30s roamed around, often in tailored suits instead of the khakis and polo shirts preferred by their older brethren.

From Salon