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

Consider that nearly three-quarters of shoppers (74 percent) say their favorite fiber or fabric to wear is cotton, denim or a cotton blend, according to Cotton Incorporated’s 2025 Lifestyle MonitorTM Survey. —Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 17 Dec. 2025

Without buttons or zippers pressing into your skin during extended sitting, these flares deliver the look of classic denim with significantly more comfort and a more flattering fit. —Gabriela Garcia, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2025

Meet Madewell’s version: a light-wash gem made out of rigid denim and fitted at the seat, with a flared leg that has an undeniably vintage appeal to it. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025

Pull & Bear 'Stranger Things jackets, sweatshirts Hawkins High apparel includes varsity jackets and graphic sweatshirts alongside long-sleeve striped T-shirts, knit vests and straight-leg denim. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 26 Nov. 2025

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.