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Many fabrics have been named for the places where they were once made. Denim gets its name from Nîmes, a city in France famous for its textiles. But the name came about in an unusual way. The fabric, a heavy serge, was originally called serge de Nîmes, literally, “serge from Nîmes.” The “s” on Nîmes is not pronounced in French, so when the name of the fabric came into English, it was often written serge de Nim and later serge denim. In time, this was shortened to simply denim.
Examples of denim in a Sentence
Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Made from an authentic non-stretch denim that gets better with every wear, per the brand, these pants combine Witherspoon’s classic cuffed look with a trendy barrel-style statement silhouette.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025
For a Casual Look: Keep It Classic and Comfy
For an everyday outfit that feels stylish without trying too hard, pair your black denim with:
A classic T-shirt.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2025
Recent projects with brands have centered on developing innovative denim that prioritizes sustainability and ethical production—fitting, with California leading the charge for green manufacturing.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for denim
Cite this Entry
“Denim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denim. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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denim
noun
from French (serge) de Nîmes "serge (fabric) from Nîmes (city in France)"
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