akimbo

[ uh-kim-boh ]

adjective

1. with hand on hip and elbow bent outward:

   to stand with arms akimbo.

2. (of limbs) splayed out in an awkward or ungainly manner:

   After the strenuous hike, she sat on the floor with her legs akimbo.

3. (of limbs) fully extended in opposite directions:

   The dancer warmed up with his arms and legs stretched akimbo.

4. 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.

akimbo

/ əˈkɪmbəʊ /

adjective

1. arms akimbo or with arms akimbo
   with hands on hips and elbows projecting outwards

Word History and Origins

Origin of akimbo¹

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”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of akimbo¹

C15 in kenebowe, literally: in keen bow, that is, in a sharp curve

Example Sentences

It’s a title with all the swagger of a 200-page contract heavy with riders, an appellation that stands, arms akimbo, in defiance of Pee-wee Herman’s dictum “That’s my name, don’t wear it out.”

From Time

He stood with one arm akimbo, the other resting on the table, and grinned like a vulgar Mephistopheles.

From Project Gutenberg

She was standing in the doorway, her arms akimbo and her sleeves rolled up.

From Project Gutenberg

He set his arms akimbo and smiled toothlessly upon the visitor.

From Project Gutenberg

His arms were akimbo, his feet planted as firmly as if he were a particularly stubborn brand of tree.

From Project Gutenberg

I had gone there because I had seen smoke coming out of the little crooked pipe that stood akimbo.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• jagged