armchair
Americannoun
adjective
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theorizing without the benefit of practical experience.
an armchair football coach.
-
participating or experiencing indirectly or vicariously.
an armchair traveler.
noun
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a chair, esp an upholstered one, that has side supports for the arms or elbows
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(modifier) taking no active part; lacking practical experience; theoretical
an armchair strategist
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(modifier) participated in away from the place of action or in the home
armchair theatre
Etymology
Origin of armchair
Explanation
An armchair is a comfortable, cushioned chair with a support on each side, where you can rest your arms while you sit. Some armchairs are big enough that you can curl up and read a book in them. Armchairs are distinguished by their "arms," rests built to comfortably support your arms. Most armchairs are also upholstered and soft enough for you to sink into a bit when you sit down. The word is also used as an adjective to jokingly describe someone who isn't an expert in something but acts like one: "Those armchair athletes always seem to know what the players and coaches should have done."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You can easily catch up on your Chinese from the comfort of your own armchair, at whatever time is most convenient for you.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
Brooke Shields would not consider herself an armchair detective by any means.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
Its standout artifacts include Voltaire’s custom-designed gilded armchair, equipped with a writing desk and drawers, and a re-creation of the bedroom of Marcel Proust, including a piece of his famously cork-lined, soundproof walls.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
Writers are going to extremes to prove they didn’t use AI, in some cases adding typos or casual language to stay ahead of armchair detectors.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
“About changing the ring settings. That’s just what I was picturing in the armchair tonight. Can you change the ring settings with the rotors already in the machine?”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
