armless
|arm-less|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrmləs/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːmləs/
without arms
Etymology
'armless' is formed from the noun 'arm' plus the adjectival suffix '-less' (meaning 'without').
'arm' comes from Old English 'earm' (from Proto-Germanic *arm-), and the suffix '-less' comes from Old English 'lēas' meaning 'free from, without'; the modern compound 'arm' + '-less' developed into the adjective 'armless' in Middle/Modern English.
The word originally and consistently meant 'without arms' (literally lacking arms) and has largely kept that literal sense, while also extending by usage to furniture and garments (i.e., 'without armrests' or 'without sleeves').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking arms — used of people or animals that have no arms or have lost them.
The statue stood armless after centuries of weathering.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
without armrests — used of chairs, sofas, or other furniture that do not have arms.
She bought an armless chair that fits neatly under the desk.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/16 18:06