zori

[ zawr-ee ]

noun

, plural zo·ri.

1. a Japanese sandal, often made of straw or rubber and consisting of a flat sole held on the foot by a thong passing between the first and second toes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zori¹

1895–1900; < Japanese zōri, earlier zau-ri < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese cǎo grass + lǐ footgear

Example Sentences

Marge Kumaki pointed out that the Japanese word for flip-flops is “zori.”

From Washington Post

That they remove their zori sandals and go barefoot is enough to suggest Japaneseness.

From New York Times

Only the occasional wooden zori indicates their Japanese origin.

From Washington Post

The same with zori, a coarse sort being purchasable for 2 sen a pair.

From Project Gutenberg

Pilgrims bring with them gifts of small straw sandals—the zori that children wear—and leave them before the cavern, that the feet of the little ghosts may not be wounded by the sharp rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• moccasin
• shoe
• slipper