thong

noun

ˈthȯŋ 

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 

adjective

Examples of thong in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The season also reinstated McQueen’s archival horn heel from spring 2003, originally part of a rosary thong sandal with wooden beads and a sculpted base, now reapplied to new leather and jacquard styles. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026

Robbie reinvented the naked dress on Monday, stepping out in Los Angeles in a thong-baring LBD made out of nothing but sheer black lace. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026

As with the rest of the Skims lineup, most sizing extends from XXS to 4X, and pricing starts at just $10 for thongs, while most pieces are under $75. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026

The best menstrual underwear offers ample style choices such as thong, high-cut, bikini, boyshort or brief. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for thong

• bhang
• bong
• dong
• gong
• hmong
• jong
• mong
• pong
• prong
• rong
• song
• strong

Kids Definition

thong

noun

ˈthȯŋ 

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