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.
Chloé, for one, propelled the look into high-fashion territory with its heeled thong sandals. Kelsey Stewart, Refinery29, 25 June 2025 Add a pair of black thong sandals to top off the look. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 19 June 2025 On the pictures, Rihanna herself is seen with a large white wedding cake wearing a bustier, thong, stockings and of course, a veil. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 16 Apr. 2025 On day one of Coachella 2025, Hailey Bieber hit up the 818 tequila outpost in an itty-bitty black halter minidress and kitten-heel thong sandals, a far cry from the low-slung cargo pants and baseball caps of yesteryear. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2025 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 5 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on thong

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