armchair

1 of 2

noun

arm·​chair ˈärm-ˌcher 

: a chair with armrests

armchair

2 of 2

adjective

1

: remote from direct dealing with problems : theoretical rather than practical

armchair strategists

2

: sharing vicariously in another's experiences

an armchair traveler

Examples of armchair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

He was surrounded by beige pleather armchairs gathered around low tables adorned with silk flowers. — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

While the welcome area on the main deck that’s furnished with a large sofa, armchairs and an outdoor bar provides a seamless connection between inside and outside. — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Adjective

The event became a watershed for armchair social media sleuthing. — Ezra Marcus New York Times, Star Tribune, 15 Mar. 2021

There is an army of armchair retail traders hell-bent on chasing the entire electric vehicle supply chain. — Moneyshow, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1585, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for armchair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare
• cookware

Kids Definition

armchair

noun

arm·​chair

ˈärm-ˌche(ə)r, 

-ˌcha(ə)r;

ˈarm-ˈche(ə)r, 

-ˈcha(ə)r

: a chair with supports for a person's arms