akimbo
[ uh-kim-boh ]
/ əˈkɪm boʊ /
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adjective, adverb
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.
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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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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”)
Words nearby akimbo
akiapolaau, Akiba ben Joseph, kick in the pants, a, Akihito, Akil, akimbo, Akimiski Island, akin, akinesia, akinesthesia, akinete
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use akimbo in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for akimbo
akimbo
/ (əˈkɪmbəʊ) /
adjective, adverb
arms akimbo or with arms akimbo with hands on hips and elbows projecting outwards
Word Origin for akimbo
C15 in kenebowe, literally: in keen bow, that is, in a sharp curve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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