armchairs
|arm-chair|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrm.tʃer/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːm.tʃeə/
(armchair)
chair with arms
Etymology
'armchair' originates from English, formed by combining the words 'arm' and 'chair'; 'arm' comes from Old English 'earm' meaning 'arm', and 'chair' comes from Old French 'chaiere' (from Latin 'cathedra') meaning 'seat'.
'armchair' changed from Middle English forms such as 'armcheir' or 'armchayer' and eventually became the modern English word 'armchair'.
Initially it meant 'a chair with supports for the arms' (literal sense), but over time it also developed a figurative meaning for someone who comments or criticizes from a position of comfort or without practical experience.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a comfortable chair with supports for the arms, often padded or upholstered.
There are two armchairs by the window.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a person who expresses opinions or criticism from a position of comfort or without practical experience (figurative use).
The discussion was full of armchairs who had never worked in education.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/16 03:52