thigh

noun

ˈthī How to pronounce thigh (audio)
Synonyms of thighnext
1
a
: the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind or lower limb extending from the hip to the knee
b
: the segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured
c
: the femur of an insect
2
: something resembling or covering a thigh
thighed
ˈthīd How to pronounce thigh (audio)
adjective

Examples of thigh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chelsea striker Joao Pedro is out for several weeks with a thigh injury and that's a problem for manager Xabi Alonso. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Snacks from Daniel Maysonet Rivera (owner of the San Juan bar Jungle Bird) include traditional pinchitos (pork and chicken thigh skewers). — Amy Cavanaugh, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 Reed had previously torn a muscle in his thigh, received painkilling injections, famously limped onto the Madison Square Garden floor, hit two early jump shots and inspired the New York Knicks to a championship. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 Jamie Love is swaying, slapping a hand against her thigh to keep time, and mouthing along to the music that plays from a set of portable speakers. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thigh

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thēoh; akin to Old High German dioh thigh, Lithuanian taukai, plural, fat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of thigh was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing thigh

Rhymes for thigh

See All Rhymes for thigh

Browse Nearby Words

thigger
thigh
thigh bone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thigh. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

thigh

noun
ˈthī How to pronounce thigh (audio)
: the part of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee

Medical Definition

thigh

noun
ˈthī How to pronounce thigh (audio)
1
: the proximal segment of the vertebrate hind or lower limb extending from the hip to the knee and supported by a single large bone compare femur sense 1
2
: the segment of the leg immediately distal to the thigh in a bird or in a quadruped in which the true thigh is obscured
3
: the femur of an insect

More from Merriam-Webster on thigh

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thigh

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All