What does chino mean?
Chino is a noun denoting a pair of trousers cut from a lightweight cotton twill fabric, most commonly khaki or beige in colour, though modern versions come in many shades. Worn widely as smart-casual attire, chinos sit between formal dress trousers and jeans, making them a staple of relaxed offices, schools, and weekend wardrobes. The word also names the twill cloth itself, which is prized for its durability and breathability. Typically used in the plural — 'a pair of chinos' — the word entered English via American Spanish, where 'chino' literally means 'Chinese', reflecting the Asian origins of the cloth supplied to military forces in the nineteenth century. Today the term is standard in both British and American English, with American speakers frequently using 'khakis' as a near synonym.
Trousers made of a lightweight cotton twill fabric, typically khaki-coloured and worn as casual or smart-casual attire.
"He rolled up the cuffs of his chinos before walking along the beach."
Most commonly plural; 'a chino' in the singular is understood but rarer.
The cotton twill fabric itself, characterised by a diagonal weave and durable finish.
"This jacket is cut from a hard-wearing chino twill."
The plural form is the standard way to refer to the garment, mirroring words like 'trousers' and 'jeans'. A single item is expressed as 'a pair of chinos'.
"I bought two pairs of chinos for the summer."
"Chino" simply means "Chinese" in Spanish — these trousers got their name from the cloth that was shipped to supply armies across Asia.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chino
The word 'chino' comes from American Spanish, where it means 'Chinese' or 'toasted', and was applied to the sturdy twill cloth used for military uniforms. The fabric gained popularity during the Spanish-American War era when troops wore uniforms made from this material. It entered general English usage through American armed forces and later became a mainstream fashion term for the trousers themselves.
How chino is actually used
Usually used in the plural form 'chinos' when referring to the garment; singular 'a chino' is less common but acceptable. The term is neutral to smart-casual in register. In American English, 'khakis' is often interchangeable with 'chinos'.
Easily confused with chino
Khaki refers to both a colour (a dull yellowish-brown) and a military fabric, whereas chino specifically denotes the trousers or the twill cloth they are made from.