armchair

American  

[ahrm-chair] / ˈɑrmˌtʃɛər /

noun

• armchairs
  plural

1. a chair with sidepieces or arms to support a person's forearms or elbows.

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adjective

1. theorizing without the benefit of practical experience.

   an armchair football coach.

2. participating or experiencing indirectly or vicariously.

   an armchair traveler.

armchair British  

/ ˈɑːmˌtʃɛə /

noun

1. a chair, esp an upholstered one, that has side supports for the arms or elbows

2. (modifier) taking no active part; lacking practical experience; theoretical

   an armchair strategist

3. (modifier) participated in away from the place of action or in the home

   armchair theatre

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• armchairs
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of armchair

First recorded in 1625–35; arm ¹ + chair

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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

See Examples For:

armchair armchairs

Even for armchair fans watching at home, the breadth and expense of television subscriptions can be a barrier to accessing sport.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Seated in an armchair, dressed in a blue hospital gown, with his left arm in a sling, the security guard said his faith sustained him during the harrowing hours.

From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026

In our Valley Stream, Long Island home, my youthful 80-year-old, African American mother and I — her Gen X son and facial clone — comment on each episode like armchair judges.

From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026

He would raise money from fellow cattlemen and armchair investors—dozens of people across Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and Canada.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026

With both my siblings gone, Mom moves to the armchair, relaxing against a hideous yellow pillow.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Then she built two armchairs in that room that I bought from her in the same drapes.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

On either side are striped linen armchairs, and a wooden coffee table from Facebook Marketplace completes the look, giving the room a relaxed coastal feel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

For deeper exploration, the scientists rely on OceanX's ROV, operated from a futuristic-looking "mission control" where two crew members sit in gamer-style armchairs.

From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026

Upholstered wooden products, things like sofas and armchairs, were to be slapped with a 30% tariff.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 1, 2026

Ms. Taggart and I sat in the outer office, barely able to relax in the overstuffed armchairs, and we didn’t speak much.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

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