armchair

American  

[ahrm-chair] / ˈɑrmˌtʃɛər /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of armchair

First recorded in 1625–35; arm ¹ + chair

Example Sentences

He huffed out a sigh and moved away from me, to the armchair.

From Literature

Grandfather, who puffs on Gauloises cigarettes, resembles Baroness Orczy’s Old Man in the Corner, an armchair detective who solves crimes from the confines of a London tea shop.

From The Wall Street Journal

I am blindfolded and seated in a vintage armchair set in the center of a darkened, red-lit room with Gothic accents.

From Los Angeles Times

In the window display a female mannequin lounged on a tufted armchair while a little-girl mannequin fiddled with a Victrola.

From Literature

Luna and I head to the red armchairs in the corner.

From Literature

Related Words

• recliner