armchair
Americannoun
adjective
-
theorizing without the benefit of practical experience.
an armchair football coach.
-
participating or experiencing indirectly or vicariously.
an armchair traveler.
noun
-
a chair, esp an upholstered one, that has side supports for the arms or elbows
-
(modifier) taking no active part; lacking practical experience; theoretical
an armchair strategist
-
(modifier) participated in away from the place of action or in the home
armchair theatre
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
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
For the journey, he is driving a ’64 Chevy Impala station wagon with a GPS unit inside so that armchair travelers can follow his journey on the web.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
I lunge for the phone by the armchair.
From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na
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.
