denim

noun

den·​im ˈde-nəm 

1

a

: a firm durable twilled usually cotton fabric woven with colored warp and white filling threads

b

: a similar fabric woven in colored stripes

2

denims plural : overalls or trousers usually of blue denim

denimed

ˈde-nəmd 

adjective

Did you know?

Many fabrics have been named for the places where they were once made. Denim gets its name from Nîmes, a city in France famous for its textiles. But the name came about in an unusual way. The fabric, a heavy serge, was originally called serge de Nîmes, literally, “serge from Nîmes.” The “s” on Nîmes is not pronounced in French, so when the name of the fabric came into English, it was often written serge de Nim and later serge denim. In time, this was shortened to simply denim.

Examples of denim in a Sentence

He's wearing faded denims and cowboy boots.

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s made of 100-percent cotton denim with a ruched neckline, a flowy skirt, and pockets that keep it as functional as your go-to overalls. —Published, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

Though three fillies have crossed the finish line first, no female jockey or trainer had won it until DeVaux busted through the barn ceiling, taking down the old-boy network made of flannel, denim, seersucker and cigars. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026

Newsom was joined by Baby2Baby co-executives Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, HHS Secretary Kim Johnson and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, the heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune who ran the Tipping Foundation, an anti-poverty nonprofit before entering office last year. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026

The Brooks Glycerin 22 sneakers are an easy way to liven up basics like leggings, shorts, and denim while still feeling wearable day to day, with a little bit more personality (and support) than your usual pair. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French (serge) de Nîmes serge of Nîmes, France

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for denim

• plenum
• venom
• imipenem

Kids Definition

denim

noun

den·​im ˈden-əm 

1

: a firm durable twilled usually cotton fabric

2

plural : overalls or trousers of denim

Etymology

from French (serge) de Nîmes "serge (fabric) from Nîmes (city in France)"

Word Origin

Many fabrics have been named for the places where they were once made. Denim gets its name from Nîmes, a city in France famous for its textiles. But the name came about in an unusual way. The fabric, a heavy serge, was originally called serge de Nîmes, literally, "serge from Nîmes." The "s" on Nîmes is not pronounced in French, so when the name of the fabric came into English, it was often written serge de Nim and later serge denim. In time this was shortened to simply denim.