jeans
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /dʒˈiːnz/
US
- /ˈdʒinz/
Description
- Durable cotton trousers
- casual wear
- denim pants
Jeans are strong casual trousers, usually made from denim. They were first made as hard-wearing work pants in the late 1800s for people who needed clothing that could last, such as miners and other workers. Over time, they became one of the most common items of clothing in the world.
People wear them to school, on relaxed days at work, while traveling, or when going out casually. They come in many styles, such as skinny, straight-leg, bootcut, or high-waisted, and in many looks, from dark wash to faded or ripped designs. The word "jeans" is linked to Genoa, Italy, through the history of the fabric name, which adds a small historical note to a very everyday piece of clothing.
Jeans are a type of durable trousers, most often made from denim or another strong cotton fabric. Their modern form began in the 19th century as practical work pants for laborers who needed clothing that could handle rough conditions. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis are closely linked with the early development of riveted denim work pants, which later became the model for modern jeans.
At first, they were mainly used for work, but their role changed over time. In the 20th century, they became popular as everyday clothing and were strongly linked with youth culture, independence, and relaxed style. Today, they are worn by people of many ages and backgrounds in many parts of the world.
The word "jeans" is generally connected to older fabric names related to Genoa, Italy, while "denim" is linked to a fabric name associated with Nimes, France. In modern use, the word usually refers to casual pants made in a denim style, even though materials, cuts, and finishes can vary. You can see skinny, straight-leg, wide-leg, flared, or bootcut styles, along with dark wash, light wash, faded, ripped, or decorated versions.
People often wear them with a T-shirt for a simple casual look, with a sweater or jacket in cooler weather, or with a shirt and blazer for a more polished but still relaxed outfit. In this way, jeans sit between workwear history and modern fashion, valued for comfort, strength, and easy everyday use.
Examples
- 1
Everyday clothing
I usually wear jeans on the weekend.
- 2
Clothing item
She bought a new pair of jeans yesterday.
Grammar
a pair of jeans
one item of clothing; jeans is usually plural
- 3
Fit problem
These jeans are too tight around the waist.
- 4
Trying clothes
I tried on three pairs of jeans, but none of them fit.
- 5
Casual dress
He came to the meeting in jeans and a T-shirt.
Pattern
in + clothing
wearing that clothing
- 6
Workplace dress
You can wear jeans to the office on Fridays.
- 7
Laundry
I need to wash my jeans before the trip.
- 8
Pockets
The phone was still in the back pocket of his jeans.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- jeansnoun