akimbo
Americanadjective
-
with hand on hip and elbow bent outward.
to stand with arms akimbo.
-
(of limbs) splayed out in an awkward or ungainly manner.
After the strenuous hike, she sat on the floor with her legs akimbo.
-
(of limbs) fully extended in opposite directions.
The dancer warmed up with his arms and legs stretched akimbo.
-
to one side; askew; awry: He woke up from his nap, hair akimbo.
They wore their hats akimbo.
He woke up from his nap, hair akimbo.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of akimbo
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English in kenebowe, from unattested Old Norse i keng boginn “bent into a crook” ( i “in,” keng, accusative of kengr “hook,” boginn, past participle of bjūga “to bend”)
Explanation
When you put your hands on your hips and your elbows are sticking out, your arms are akimbo, like when you stand in the bathroom, arms akimbo while yelling, “Who left the toilet seat up?” The adjective akimbo, pronounced "uh-KIM-bo," comes from the Middle English phrase in kenebowe, which meant “at a sharp angle" — a good description for how your arms look when, elbows bent, you have your hands on your hips. Legs can also be akimbo, like when you do a cartwheel or fall down while skiing, your arms and legs sprawling in positions that can best be described as akimbo.
Vocabulary lists containing akimbo
To Kill a Mockingbird
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Strike A Pose: Positions and Posture
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Little Fires Everywhere
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Seth, who loves anagrams and puzzles of any kind, scrambles Kimberly Levaco’s name into Cleverly Akimbo.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2024
Kimberly Akimbo was named best musical, also scooping best original score and best leading actress for Victoria Clark.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2023
Best new musical nominees were "& Juliet," "Kimberly Akimbo," "New York, New York," "Shucked" and "Some Like it Hot," with "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods" among the productions earning nods for best musical revival.
From Reuters • May 2, 2023
Kimberly Akimbo, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori.
From Washington Post • Nov. 10, 2022
Akimbo, a-kim′bo, adj. with hand on hip and elbow bent outward.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
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.
