khaki

1 of 2

noun

kha·​ki ˈka-kē  ˈkä- 

 Canadian often  ˈkär-

1

a

: a light yellowish-brown cloth made usually of cotton or wool

a uniform made of khaki

b

: a garment (such as a military uniform or a pair of pants) made of this cloth

—usually plural

His hair was brushed back and his service khakis pressed. The two officers went aft to the helicopter pad …

—Tom Clancy

Traditionally, loafers are strictly casual. You wear them with khakis to the bar or on casual Fridays.

—GQ

2

: a light yellowish-brown

khaki

2 of 2

adjective

: of the color khaki : having a light, yellowish-brown color

—used especially of cloth

khaki pants

Did you know?

In the mid-19th century, units of the British Indian Army applied the Hindi word khāki, “dust-colored, brown,” to the color of a uniform cloth. Dull brown uniforms were preferred because they did not show dirt, but the major reason that all colonial units of the British Army eventually adopted them was because they made excellent camouflage. Today we typically associate khaki with fashionable casualness and a summery look rather than British military uniforms.

Examples of khaki in a Sentence

Noun

a military uniform made of khaki

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Available in 23 colors, including khaki and black, these pants work for everything from long days of travel to days at the beach, according to shoppers. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Choose from a wide selection of fall hues, including khaki and forest green. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The tote comes in beige, khaki, a neutral hue between the two aptly called beige-khaki, black, gray, light blue, dark blue, soft purple, pink, and pretty sage green. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2024

Henchy, 59, looped dapper in a khaki-colored suit and brown shoes, while Grier sported a strapless black ensemble and pointed-toe black heels, carrying a sparkly silver purse. —Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Hindi & Urdu khākī dust-colored, from khāk dust, from Persian

First Known Use

Noun

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

khaki

noun

kha·​ki ˈkak-ē  ˈkäk- 

1

: a light yellowish brown

2

a

: a light yellowish brown cloth often used for military uniforms

b

: a garment (as a military uniform or a pair of pants) made of this cloth

—usually used in the plural

Etymology

Noun

from Hindi khākī "dust-colored," from khāk "dust"; of Persian origin

Word Origin

In northern India a language known as Hindi gave the name khākī to a certain kind of strong cloth. This Hindi name meant "dust-colored," because the cloth was a light yellowish brown. When the British spent time in India, they discovered that the strong brown material made good military uniforms. Now the word khaki is used in English for a uniform, as well as for the cloth used to make it.