noun, plural khak·is.
- dull yellowish brown.
- a stout, twilled cotton cloth of this color, used especially in making uniforms.
- Usually khakis. (used with a plural verb)
- a uniform made of this cloth, especially a military uniform.
- a garment made of this cloth, especially trousers.
- a similar fabric of wool.
adjective
- of the color khaki.
- made of khaki.
noun plural -kis
-
- a dull yellowish-brown colour
- (as adjective)a khaki background
-
- a hard-wearing fabric of this colour, used esp for military uniforms
- (as modifier)a khaki jacket
“dust-colored cloth,” 1857, from Urdu khaki, literally “dusty,” from khak “dust,” from Persian. First introduced in uniforms of British cavalry in India (the Guide Corps, 1846); widely adopted for camouflage purposes in the Boer Wars (1899-1902). As an adjective from 1863. Related: Khakis.