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.
As for the pieces, the campaign displays a faux fur coat, tops in chantilly lace and chainmail, thigh-high riding boots, and more. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 One example from her cookbook is a one-pot chicken thighs and rice dish. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The actress wore a design from Gucci’s pre-fall 2026 collection — a black dress that embraced asymmetry with a one-sleeve design contrasted by an angular skirt with a thigh-high element to one side and contrasting train on the other. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 Bake chicken until deeply browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh registers 165°, 25–30 minutes. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 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 27 Oct. 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 milieu

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
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
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All