Meanings
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1
noun
a narrow strip of leather or another flexible material, especially one used as a fastening
She tied the rolled blanket with a leather thong.
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2
noun
a very brief undergarment or swimsuit with a narrow strip at the back
The costume included a jeweled thong beneath a long cape.
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3
noun
the flexible leather lash of a whip
The thong of the whip cracked sharply above the horses.
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4
noun
in Australian English, a backless sandal held by a strap between the toes
He wore thongs to the beach despite the hot sand.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English thong, thwong, and thwang, from Old English thwong or thwang ('strap, cord, strip of leather'), ultimately from a Germanic word associated with constraint or pressing. The underwear and sandal senses developed from the narrow strap central to their construction.