armchair

American  

[ahrm-chair] / ˈɑrmˌtʃɛər /

noun

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of armchair

First recorded in 1625–35; arm ¹ + chair

Example Sentences

For years, fantasy football has given every armchair manager the space to back up claims they "could do a better job" than the real thing.

From BBC

Levies on imported cabinets and vanities were set to rise to 50% on Jan. 1, while upholstered products, such as sofas and armchairs, were scheduled to face a 30% tariff rate.

From Barron's

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Sitting in her armchair, Angela glances up towards her son's photographs and says: "He's certainly given me a few sleepless nights, I can tell you. It's a wonder I'm not white!"

From BBC

Her disappearance captivated and confounded true crime watchers around the nation as FBI investigators and armchair detectives alike tried to solve the puzzle of what happened to Melodee.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• recliner