loincloth

American

[loin-klawth, -kloth] / ˈlɔɪnˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

a piece of cloth worn around the loins or hips, especially in tropical regions as the only item of clothing.

loincloth British

/ ˈlɔɪnˌklɒθ /

noun

Also called: breechcloth. a piece of cloth worn round the loins

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

loincloths

plural

Etymology

Origin of loincloth

First recorded in 1855–60; loin + cloth

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Japan, the duo even tried their hand at sumo wrestling and Si remembers Dave had gone the extra mile to make sure he looked good in his loincloth.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2024

The earliest form of underwear was a loincloth.

From National Geographic • Jan. 9, 2024

Ryuichi Yamamoto, a 600-pound retired pro who still dresses the part in his mawashi loincloth and top knot for practice, coaches from the corner, giggling and shouting instructions as his students grapple and shove.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2022

Fraser, who is long past his loincloth era, nodded.

From New York Times • Sep. 4, 2022

The colonists saw a robust, erect-postured man wearing only a loincloth; his straight black hair was shaved in front but flowed down his shoulders behind.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023