First Known Use: 1695
Dictionary
denim
noun den·im \ˈde-nəm\
: a strong usually blue cotton cloth that is used especially to make jeans
denims : pants that are made of denim
Full Definition of DENIM
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
plural : overalls or trousers usually of blue denim
— den·imed \-nəmd\ adjective
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Origin of DENIM
French (serge) de Nîmes serge of Nîmes, France
DENIM Defined for Kids
denim
noun den·im \ˈde-nəm\
Definition of DENIM for Kids
1
: a firm often coarse cotton cloth
2
denims plural : overalls or pants of usually blue denim
Word History of DENIM
The word denim came from a French phrase that meant “serge of Nimes.” Serge is a kind of sturdy cloth. Nimes is a city in the southern part of France where making cloth was traditionally a major industry. When the English borrowed the French phrase that meant “serge of Nimes” they made it serge denim. Later this phrase was shortened to denim.
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