obi

¹ American  

[oh-bee, aw-bee] / ˈoʊ bi, ˈɔ bi /

noun

plural

obis, obi

1. a long, broad sash tied about the waist over a Japanese kimono.

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obi ² American  

[oh-bee] / ˈoʊ bi /

noun

plural

obis

1. obeah.

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obi ¹ British  

/ ˈəʊbɪ /

noun

1. a broad sash tied in a large flat bow at the back, worn by Japanese women and children as part of the national costume

2. a narrow sash worn by Japanese men

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obi ² British  

/ ˈəʊbɪ /

noun

1. a kind of witchcraft originating in Africa and practised by some West Indians

2. a charm or amulet used in this

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Other Word Forms

• obiism noun

Etymology

Origin of obi

1875–80; < Japanese: girdle, gird (v.)

Example Sentences

Through the centuries, the unisex garment evolved from an underlayer for the upper class to become outerwear, sashed with an obi but featuring smaller sleeves that aided physical activity — helpful for the samurai warriors.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2024

“The present is a gift,” she said, fan tucked in her obi — the wide kimono sash — pink and white parasol in her Hello Kitty shoulder bag.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2022

Then she reversed them, nodded, and cinched it all together with an obi sash, “O.K., O.K. O.K.”

From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2018

She endorses the structured look so popular for this round of preview showings, with prominent shoulders and waist cinched in a wide obi belt.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2013

“Kimberly adores her husband, and her husband adores himself. She should leave him but she never will,” she said once, about the woman she had worked for in America, the woman with obi ocha.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie