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 Nobody Wants This star wore an oversized black blazer over a loose white crewneck T-shirt, tucked into wide-leg, distressed jeans for a polished, everyday style. — Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026 But there are plenty of novel ways to style loafers with jeans that feel a little fresher for 2026. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2026 Hudson Williams Get Hudson Williams’ laid back look with a vintage inspired Beatles graphic tee, straight leg jeans, chunky New Balance sneakers and rectangular sunglasses. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 Pre-shrunk and styled for a consumer demographic that wasn’t interested in waiting for their jeans to shrink, Levi’s said the 646 embodied ease and effortless cool. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 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

See All Rhymes for jean

Browse Nearby Words

jealousy
jean
Jeanpaulia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jean. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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"

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