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

Jennifer Lopez went back in time to find the denim style that's perfect for anyone who finds baggy jeans unflattering and skinny jeans too restrictive. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

Our favorite finds include a Dyson cordless vacuum that can effortlessly sweep up dirt and debris from carpets, rugs, and more in seconds, a chic pair of jeans for any outfit or occasion, and an impressive dual-zone air fryer that can bake, roast, broil, and more. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025

The seamstress said the material is higher quality and lasts longer, while contemporary jeans often need to be thrown out after a few washes. —Idaho Statesman, 20 Dec. 2025

On warmer days, throw it over a dress or jeans and a tee, and when the weather shifts, this piece is perfect for layering over thicker knits. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025

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"