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

Splayed in an armchair in a Midtown Manhattan hotel with views of a fog-shrouded Rockefeller Center, Richards still radiates roguish, live-wire energy at 82.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

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

The woman watched Ella's every move as she settled into the massive armchair across from the desk.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Three rows of brown pleather armchairs facing a TV tuned to the American Heroes Channel were unusually empty on this afternoon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

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

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

For deeper exploration, the scientists rely on OceanX's ROV, operated from a futuristic-looking "mission control" where two crew members sit in gamer-style armchairs.

From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 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