What does denim mean?
Word: Denim
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Denim means a thick cotton cloth, usually blue, that jeans and many jackets are made from.
How do you spell denim?
Syllables: de - nim
Tricky part: The last part is said quickly and softly, so children often write denum or denem. The vowel there is an i.
Watch out for: denum, denem
Memory tip: The end of denim is spelt like the word dim. Picture a dim cupboard where you can only just make out your blue jeans.
Denim in a sentence
Example 1: Tom rolled up the sleeves of his denim shirt before he started painting the fence.
Example 2: Lena keeps her crayons in the deep front pocket of her denim skirt.
Example 3: The shop on the corner sells denim in light and dark shades of blue.
Fun Fact
The name is usually traced to French. Cloth 'de Nimes' meant cloth from Nimes, a town in the south of France where a strong fabric was woven long ago.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Champ
Which of the words cannot be made using the letters in the given word?
denim
a) dent
b) dine
c) mind
d) mend
Show answer
a) dent. There is no t in denim, so dent is impossible; mend, mind and dine use only its five letters.
Spell Spies
Choose the option with no spelling errors:
a) denim, linnen, satin, velvett
b) denim, linen, sattin, velvit
c) denim, lynen, satten, velvet
d) denim, linen, satin, velvet
Show answer
d) denim, linen, satin, velvet. Linen has no double n, satin has a single t and velvet ends in et, and only one list gets all three right.
Sound Check
Which word has the same 'e' sound as in denim?
a) these
b) legal
c) metal
d) decent
Show answer
c) metal. Metal starts with the short e of bed, just like denim; the other three say the e like its name.
Spellacadabra
From which option does a letter need to be removed to make a meaningful word?
a) collar
b) pocket
c) dennim
d) button
Show answer
c) dennim. Take out one n and the jeans cloth is spelt properly; pocket, button and collar need no change.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Grandpa's denim trousers have lasted through ten years of gardening. What does this tell you about denim?
a) It is soft and fluffy like wool.
b) It is strong and wears well.
c) It shrinks each time it is washed.
d) It is thin and tears easily.
Show answer
b) It is strong and wears well.
2. Where would you expect to see people working in denim overalls?
a) on a farm
b) on a ski slope
c) in a swimming race
d) at a ballet show
Show answer
a) on a farm
