What does zori mean?
Zori is an English borrowing from Japanese denoting a distinctive type of thong sandal. The traditional sandal has a sole woven from plant fiber, traditionally rice straw, with a strap that passes between the toes. Such footwear was well suited to hot weather because its open construction allowed heat to escape. Modern zori may also have fabric, rubber, or synthetic soles, but they retain the characteristic thong design and association with Japanese clothing. In English, the word is used both when discussing genuine traditional Japanese footwear and when describing fashion sandals modeled on that style. It is normally plural, as in “a pair of zori.” Although zori overlaps in general meaning with flip-flops and other sandals, the term carries a more specific cultural and visual identity. Knowing it therefore makes it possible to distinguish woven Japanese sandals from the broad category of open footwear.
nounA Japanese-style thong sandal, traditionally made with a woven straw sole and now also made from other materials. The term is also used for modern sandals modeled on this traditional style.
- A Japanese-style sandal with a thong passing between the toes, traditionally made with a woven straw sole but now also produced with fabric, rubber, and other materials.
"She slipped on a pair of zori and crossed the garden."
"She slipped on a pair of zori and crossed the garden."
"The shop displayed rows of zori made from woven straw."
The standard plural is zoris; “a pair of zori” is also a common construction.
"These zori are handmade from woven straw."
The Japanese name zōri literally joins “grass” and “footwear,” preserving the sandals’ historic association with woven plant fiber.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of zori
The English word was borrowed in the late nineteenth century from Japanese zōri, written 草履. The Japanese compound combines zō, “grass” or “straw,” with ri, a term associated with footwear or sandals. Its composition reflects the use of woven plant fiber in traditional Japanese sandals, while the English loan has broadened to cover modern versions made from other materials.
How zori is actually used
The noun is normally used in the plural or with a quantifier such as “a pair.” In English, zori most often refers to Japanese sandals or contemporary versions inspired by them.
Easily confused with zori
Zori are associated with traditional Japanese sandals and may have woven straw or fabric soles, whereas flip-flops usually refer to lightweight rubber sandals with a thong strap.