Definition

A strong, yellowish cotton fabric that was originally made in China, often used for clothing and other textiles.

Example

He wore a pair of trousers made from nankeen fabric.

Conversation

I just got a pair of trousers made from nankeen fabric.

Oh, I've heard that nankeen is really durable and comfortable!

Yeah, I can't wait to wear them this weekend.

They'll be perfect for the picnic we planned.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nankeen originates from the Chinese word 'nanjing' (meaning southern capital), referring to a type of cotton fabric that was originally produced in the city of Nanjing, China. The term was adopted into English in the 18th century to describe this specific fabric.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fabric that comes from the 'southern capital' of China — that's how you can remember that 'nankeen' refers to a type of cotton fabric.

Visually Confused Words