thong

[ thawng, thong ]

noun

1. a strip of material, especially of leather or hide, used to fasten or secure something.
2. a strip of leather or hide used for whipping; whiplash.
3. a shoe or slipper fastened to the foot chiefly by a strip of leather or other material passing between the first and second toes and often attaching to another strip of material, as a strap across the instep or around the ankle.
4. a brief garment for the lower body that exposes the buttocks, consisting of a strip of fabric passing between the thighs and attached to a band around the waist.

thong

/ θɒŋ /

noun

1. a thin strip of leather or other material, such as one used for lashing things together
2. a whip or whiplash, esp one made of leather
3. See flip-flop
   the usual name for flip-flop
4. 1. a skimpy article of beachwear, worn by men or women, consisting of thin strips of leather or cloth attached to a piece of material that covers the genitals while leaving the buttocks bare
   2. a similar item of underwear

Other Words From

• thonged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thong¹

before 950; Middle English; Old English thwong; akin to Old Norse thvengr strap, thvinga to compel

Word History and Origins

Origin of thong¹

Old English thwang; related to Old High German dwang reins, Old Norse thvengr strap

Example Sentences

Years ago, they arrested a woman for wearing a thong bikini there.

From Washington Post

Last August, police arrived at a Home Depot after he allegedly wore pink thong underwear as a mask and refused to put on a face covering even after security offered him one.

From Washington Post

Her duties involved touring college campuses to advertise the app with pizza parties and free thongs and flyers.

From Time

When he turns around, he revealed an American flag worn like a thong.

From The Daily Beast

A middle-aged man was severely injured in a previous grenade attack on Friday around Banthat Thong Road, and subsequently died.

From The Daily Beast

The replica is part of a set that also includes an equally bejeweled Dream Angels thong cashing in at $58.

From The Daily Beast

But, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Rihanna has emerged and triumphed once more—this time in a denim thong.

From The Daily Beast

Women send photos of cleavage, the ever popular ass-in-thong shot, and much more.

From The Daily Beast

He placed the end of a straight stick against the thong, drew it strongly back and released it.

From Project Gutenberg

He chose a longer, springier piece of wood, bent it into a bow, and strung it with a longer thong.

From Project Gutenberg

With his knife he quickly severed the thong that bound one of them, and the dull, red gold gleamed back in the flickering light!

From Project Gutenberg

As he stooped to grasp the thong, it was whisked from under his hand, and the pony galloped beyond his reach.

From Project Gutenberg

Frazer always wore an ancient military hat with a leather thong at the back of his head drawn tight across his flowing hair.

From Project Gutenberg