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

This manifest includes Jack Dawson, played by Constantine Rousouli as an aging twunk who knows how to fill and show off his slim-fit khakis. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

Choose from classic neutrals like charcoal and khaki, or bright hues like Riviera Blue and Petal Peach, which is half off now. —Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026

Adjective

For colder moments, throw a khaki jacket on top and let the print peek through. —Minty Mellon, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026

The exchange over the pricing of the khaki pants is just one example of about a dozen cited in the document, filed in support of a preliminary injunction Bonta is seeking against Amazon to stop alleged price fixing. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for khaki

• blocky
• chalky
• cocky
• gawky
• hockey
• jockey
• machi
• maki
• rocky
• stocky
• talkie
• walkie

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.