thong

noun

ˈthȯŋ How to pronounce thong (audio)
plural thongs
1
: a strip especially of leather or hide
2
: a sandal held on the foot by a thong fitting between the toes and connected to a strap across the top or around the sides of the foot
3
: an article of swimwear or underwear with the back portion consisting of a narrow strip of cloth that passes between the buttocks and connects with a waistband
thonged
ˈthȯŋd How to pronounce thong (audio)
adjective

Examples of thong 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.
Halle Berry turned heads in a strappy black thong bikini and a semi-sheer coverup on Friday. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026 The Lidia styles are available in as mules, thong sandals, boots and more. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 July 2026 That, of course, being giving us endless inspiration on how to style thong sandals year-round. — Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 30 July 2026 Nearly 19,000 shoppers have given these thong sandals a five-star rating, praising their memory foam padding, soft yet durable fabric straps, and excellent arch support. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for thong

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thwong; akin to Old Norse thvengr thong

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thong was before the 12th century

Rhymes for thong

See All Rhymes for thong

Browse Nearby Words

Thondraki
thong
Thonga
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thong. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thong

noun
ˈthȯŋ How to pronounce thong (audio)
1
: a strip of leather used especially for fastening something
2
: a sandal held on the foot by a thong fitting between the toes and connected to a strap across the top or around the sides of the foot

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