jean

noun

ˈjēn 

plural jeans

1

: a durable twilled cotton cloth used especially for sportswear and work clothes

2

usually jeans

ˈjēnz 

: pants usually made of denim or jean

… strolling with royal puppy Lupo through Kensington Gardens near the couple's two-bedroom cottage in a pair of jeans and rain boots.

—Alicia Dennis et al.

Millions of people today buy designer jeans for double the price of equally durable generic jeans …

—Jared Diamond

see also blue jeans, mom jeans

Examples of jean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Characterized by their faded or worn-out effect, as if their original color had been lightened by washing, these beloved jeans stand out for their vintage and carefree air. —Mayte Salido, Glamour, 4 Jan. 2026

Shop last-chance deals on cozy winter coats to stay warm until spring, jeans and wide-leg pants, handbags and totes to carry all your essentials, and jewelry to complete every outfit. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

Black jeans can be styled with trench coats, sweaters, and outerwear pieces for a classic, transitional look that works through the cooler months. —Samantha Sutton, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026

Curtis wore a black T-shirt, gray cardigan and plaid pants for the outing, while Aniston kept warm in a green sweater and jeans. —Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

short for jean fustian, from Middle English Gene Genoa, Italy + fustian

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing jean

• jean shorts

Rhymes for jean

• bean
• bein
• bien
• bouin
• chine
• clean
• deen
• diene
• gene
• glean
• keen
• lien

Kids Definition

jean

noun

ˈjēn 

1

: a heavy cotton cloth used especially for sportswear and work clothes

2

plural : pants made of jean, denim, or corduroy

Etymology

a shortened form of earlier jean fustian, literally "a fustian (heavy cotton cloth) from Genoa," from Middle English Gene "Genoa, Italy"