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 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.
For the special occasion, the mom-of-one wore a sheer T-shirt layered over a cheeky thong bikini by Rogue Season. Emma Banks, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026 Her thong also revealed her bare buttocks and, at certain points, Spears shook her butt and slapped her cheeks. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026 However, instead of pairing the beachy look with thong sandals or basic white sneakers, Holmes opted for a pair of brown suede Franco Sarto Mary-Jane flats and black accessories for a touch of New York sensibility. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2026 Once on the festival grounds, Kylie wore a ruffled, open front white Ann Demeulemeester top, paired with Levi’s 94 baggy jeans in a pale blue wash, Staud Freja leather thong sandals, a Chrome Hearts white gold belly chain, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thong. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

thong

noun
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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