underarm

American  

[uhn-der-ahrm] / ˈʌn dərˌɑrm /

adjective

1. of, situated, or for use under the arm or in the armpit.

   an underarm deodorant.

2. underhand.

   an underarm pitch in softball.

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noun

• underarms
  plural

1. armpit.

adverb

1. underhand.

underarm British  

/ ˈʌndərˌɑːm /

adjective

1. (of a measurement) extending along the arm from wrist to armpit

2. sport of or denoting a style of throwing, bowling, or serving in which the hand is swung below shoulder level

3. below the arm

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adverb

1. in an underarm style

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• underarms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of underarm

First recorded in 1810–20; under- + arm ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underarm underarms

Patients who lost weight on GLP-1s have recently come to Dr. Darren Smith, a plastic surgeon in New York, seeking to get rid of loose underarm skin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Everyone was extremely friendly and on the fashion front, no popped collars in sight — only gym clothes and cool-looking fencing gear: mask, chest protector and underarm protector.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Each held serve until the fifth game when Norrie, having resisted a break point, attempted to seize momentum with an underarm serve but it failed to clear the net.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

Bowling is underarm, unlike in the traditional game.

From Barron's ● Nov. 16, 2025

Have you noticed panic can lead to big-time underarm odor?

From "Feed" by M.T. Anderson

To patients whose underarms are mildly or moderately sagging, Smith has been suggesting a minimally invasive, three-step alternative—one he does not recommend to those with significantly loose skin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

While the aluminum in antiperspirants can cause a type of allergic reaction called contact dermatitis for a small minority of people with sensitive skin, it’s usually perfectly safe for most underarms, she adds.

From National Geographic ● Sep. 6, 2023

“He made it a little bit crazy in that second set and out of nowhere started to do these underarms serves and slices and drop shots, and just breaking up the rhythm.”

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 15, 2022

"Remember, the harness needs to be quite tight under people's underarms," the navy diver told him.

From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2022

“Well, maybe I’ll call them anyway,” I pressed, even though my underarms were beginning to prickle with sweat.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

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