pinstripe

noun

pin·​stripe ˈpin-ˌstrīp 

variants or less commonly pin-stripe or pin stripe

plural pinstripes also pin-stripes or pin stripes

1

: a very thin stripe especially on a fabric

… sporting a loose brown vest with tan and blue pinstripes …

—Donnell Alexander

—often used before another noun

pinstripe pants

a pin-stripe blazer

2

: clothing (especially a suit) with such stripes

—often used in plural

wore pinstripes to the office

pin-striped

ˈpin-ˌstrīpt 

adjective

or pinstriped

pin-striped pants

Examples of pinstripe in a Sentence

a dark suit with white pinstripes

a man dressed in pinstripes

Recent Examples on the Web

Working with longtime stylist Chaise Dennis, Tillman opted for a double-breasted pinstripe Tom Ford suit and polka dot tie, paired with a Jaeger LeCoultre watch from the brand’s new collection and Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses. — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 28 July 2026

At the same time, Europe’s identity crisis seems very unlikely to be resolved by such leaders as Merz, Keir Starmer, Mark Rutte, Ursula von der Leyen, and Kaja Kallas, who resemble human pinstripes rather than the brain trust of a vast body. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Christie went for a silver-champagne suit with a sheer collared shirt and white heels, while Sailor bared her abs in a bold sequin pinstripe suit teamed with a sparkly bra. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

His son is amid a breakout campaign in New York Yankees pinstripes. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pinstripe

• bagpipe
• blowpipe
• standpipe
• stovepipe
• subtype
• tailpipe
• unripe
• windpipe
• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype

Kids Definition

pinstripe

noun

pin·​stripe ˈpin-ˌstrīp 

: a very thin stripe on a fabric

also : a suit with such stripes

pin-striped

-ˌstrīpt

adjective