Khaki Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms 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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

First is Aunt Melissa, who changes into khakis and pins a plastic name tag to her blouse.

From Literature

Two men in khaki uniforms were on board, busy trying to start up the outboard motor.

From Literature

Dressed in blue and orange jail shirts and khaki pants, the two wore headphones to listen to a Spanish translation during the hearing, an attorney sitting between them.

From BBC

Related Words

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

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.