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

Similar to a comfortable pair of loafers or a warm winter jacket, flattering, high-quality jeans are worth investing in, like this option from Pistola. —Melony Forcier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026

Donegal sweaters made from merino wool from Ireland, herringbone sack suits, plaid cashmere CPO overshirts and pinstripe Oxford shirts complement the graphic Ts, classic hoodies and five-pocket jeans. —David Moin, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

Stretch shifts Despite buzz about the return of the skinny jean, the market has not reverted to high-stretch fabrications. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 28 Jan. 2026

Whether worn with jeans or leggings or styled with a coordinating navy sweater à la Longoria, this transitional top is sure to become a standout staple in your wardrobe. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 28 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"