# khaki

/ˈkæki/ (US) · /kˈɑːki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/khaki
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the color

noun · CEFR B2

a light brown color with a bit of yellow or green in it, like the color of dry earth.

For teachers: a dull, yellowish-brown or light olive-brown color, originally intended to provide camouflage in dusty environments.

- The walls of the office were painted a soft khaki to look professional.
- The designer selected a muted khaki for the background, ensuring the vibrant primary colors of the logo would stand out effectively.

### 2. the fabric or clothing

noun · CEFR B2

a strong cotton cloth used for uniforms, or trousers made from this cloth.

For teachers: a durable, heavy-weight cotton or wool fabric; in the plural, it refers to trousers made from this material.

- He wore a blue shirt and a pair of clean khakis to the garden party.
- The company's casual Friday policy led to a noticeable increase in employees wearing khakis and polo shirts instead of formal suits.

Usage: Often used in the plural ('khakis') to refer specifically to casual trousers.

### 3. describing color

adjective · CEFR B2

having a dull yellowish-brown color.

For teachers: of a dull yellowish-brown or olive-brown color.

- She bought a khaki jacket that matched her hiking boots perfectly.
- The soldiers were issued khaki camouflage gear to help them blend into the arid desert landscape during the summer maneuvers.

### 4. British person

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Slang · Vulgar

a rude word used in South Africa for a British person.

For teachers: A derogatory term for a British person, particularly a soldier, originating from the Boer War.

- The old man used the word khaki to show his anger toward the British soldiers.
- Historical accounts of the conflict note that local residents frequently referred to the occupying forces as khakis in a disparaging manner.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to South African history and is considered offensive; learners should recognize it in historical texts but avoid using it.

## Examples

- He wore a pair of light khaki pants to the office.
- The park rangers wear khaki uniforms to blend in with the dry grass and trees of the savanna.
- The transition from bright red coats to khaki camouflage marked a significant shift in military strategy during the late nineteenth century as long-range rifles made visibility a liability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.