thong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium frequency; common in fashion/retail contexts, less common in general discourse.Informal to neutral when referring to clothing/footwear; can be formal in historical/technical contexts (e.g., leather thong for binding).
Quick answer
What does “thong” mean?
A narrow strip of leather or other material, often used to fasten something or worn as minimal footwear or underwear.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A narrow strip of leather or other material, often used to fasten something or worn as minimal footwear or underwear.
Refers specifically to a style of underwear or swimwear consisting of a narrow strip of fabric at the back, or to a type of sandal held on the foot by a strap between the toes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'thong' primarily refers to a type of sandal (flip-flop). In the US, it primarily refers to a style of minimal underwear or swimwear. The underwear sense is understood in the UK but is secondary.
Connotations
UK: casual beachwear, summer. US: sexy or revealing underwear/swimwear; can be considered provocative.
Frequency
In UK fashion media, 'G-string' is often used for underwear to avoid ambiguity. In US, 'flip-flop' is used for footwear.
Grammar
How to Use “thong” in a Sentence
[VERB] + thong (e.g., buy, wear, adjust)[ADJECTIVE] + thong (e.g., leather, beaded, red)[PREP] + thong (e.g., in a thong, on a thong)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thong” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She lost her thong in the sea while paddling.
- You can't go into that restaurant wearing just thongs.
American English
- She bought a new thong for her holiday.
- The swimsuit collection features several thong styles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In retail: 'thong sales increased by 15% last quarter'.
Academic
In anthropology: 'The tribe used leather thongs to bind tools.'
Everyday
'I need to buy new thongs for the beach.' (UK footwear) / 'She prefers thong underwear.' (US)
Technical
In leatherworking: 'A thong is a narrow strip cut from a hide.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thong”
- Using 'thong' in US to mean 'flip-flop' can sound odd.
- Assuming UK listener will think of underwear first.
- Pronouncing it as /θʌŋ/ (like 'thung').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not inherently rude, but due to its association with revealing underwear, it can be considered risqué or informal. Context and audience matter.
They are often used synonymously for underwear. Technically, a G-string has a thinner back strap and often a smaller front panel than a typical thong.
Very rarely. Historically, it meant 'to furnish with a thong'. In modern usage, it is almost exclusively a noun.
The word for footwear (UK) comes from the Old English 'thwong' (a flexible leather cord). The underwear sense (US prominence) is a 20th-century development from the same 'strip' concept, which later became the dominant meaning in American English.
A narrow strip of leather or other material, often used to fasten something or worn as minimal footwear or underwear.
Thong is usually informal to neutral when referring to clothing/footwear; can be formal in historical/technical contexts (e.g., leather thong for binding). in register.
Thong: in British English it is pronounced /θɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /θɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none commonly associated)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
THONG = THin strONG strip. Think of something thin but strong enough to hold or cover minimally.
Conceptual Metaphor
MINIMALISM IS A STRIP (the thong reduces clothing/footwear to its minimal essential form).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is most likely spoken in the US?