jean

noun

ˈjēn How to pronounce jean (audio)
plural jeans
1
: a durable twilled cotton cloth used especially for sportswear and work clothes
2
usually jeans
ˈjēnz How to pronounce jean (audio)
: pants usually made of denim or jean
… strolling with royal puppy Lupo through Kensington Gardens near the couple's two-bedroom cottage in a pair of jeans and rain boots.— Alicia Dennis et al.
Millions of people today buy designer jeans for double the price of equally durable generic jeans …— Jared Diamond
see also blue jeans, mom jeans

Examples of jean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Top Gun: Maverick star wore classic black jeans and a brown button-down shirt, while Armas sported a chic black trench coat, paired with a white tee, jeans, and white sneakers. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025 Smith on Friday released the track list and album art, featuring him in a white T-shirt, baggy cargo jeans and a Phillies cap and matching letterman jacket, a nod to his hometown of Philadelphia. — Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 The Top Gun: Maverick star wore black jeans and a brown button-down shirt, while Armas wore a white tee, jeans and white sneakers under a black trench coat. — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 Wearing jeans and a Carhartt hoodie, Sherlock is 37, with an easy grin. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jean

Word History

Etymology

short for jean fustian, from Middle English Gene Genoa, Italy + fustian

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of jean was in 1567

Phrases Containing jean

Rhymes for jean

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Browse Nearby Words

jean
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Cite this Entry

“Jean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jean. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

jean

noun
ˈjēn How to pronounce jean (audio)
1
: a heavy cotton cloth used especially for sportswear and work clothes
2
plural : pants made of jean, denim, or corduroy
Etymology

a shortened form of earlier jean fustian, literally "a fustian (heavy cotton cloth) from Genoa," from Middle English Gene "Genoa, Italy"

More from Merriam-Webster on jean

Nglish: Translation of jean for Spanish Speakers

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