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

Etymology

Origin of armchair

First recorded in 1625–35; arm ¹ + chair

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

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

"The journey will be the equivalent to running a marathon - getting out of bed and into an armchair is so tiring," Nic said.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

Brooke Shields would not consider herself an armchair detective by any means.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

It’s quiet in the room, and then Grandpa sits back in his armchair with a sigh.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

The review was prompted by similarities in the deaths of D'Wit's father Vernon and the Baxters - all of whom were found dead in their armchairs.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

The delegates sit in fine mahogany armchairs, not the plain Windsor chairs actually provided.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

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 ● Jan. 2, 2026

Nothing had changed—the frayed red curtains, the armchairs with the upholstery worn thin, the hideous mud-colored carpet.

From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau

Related Words

• recliner