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

The dress is currently available in white and black, and chambray and blue pinstripe, as well as other colors. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026

In her Instagram clip, the Becoming author wore a black pinstripe vest and a full black skirt, cinching the two timeless separates at her waist with a thick black leather belt. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 30 June 2026

At the defense table that day, Broadwater, wearing a gray pinstripe suit, choked back sobs and hugged his lawyers. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026

Gray, who hasn’t spoken fondly of his time in pinstripes, also walked one and struck out nine. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 June 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