To save this word, you'll need to log in.
arm·chair | \ ˈärm-ˌcher 
\
\Definition of armchair
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a chair with armrests
armchair
adjectiveDefinition of armchair (Entry 2 of 2)
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 Instead of fussy old florals, armchairs and sofas are clad in vibrant botanical textiles and luxe velvets that look more at home in a living room than a funeral parlor.
—
Jennifer Fernandez, House Beautiful, "Exit Here May Be the World's Coolest Funeral Home," 31 Oct. 2019 Game of Thrones didn’t sweep the 71st Emmy Awards on Sunday night like some critics (armchair and professional) thought the show might for its final season.
—
Melissa Locker, Time, "Here's Why Some Game of Thrones Actors Didn't Take the Stage at the 2019 Emmys Last Night," 23 Sep. 2019 The 50 guest rooms feature overstuffed armchairs and settees and thick jewel-tone curtains, all surrounded by 22 acres of classic gardens.
—
Alexander Lobrano, WSJ, "The New Provence: From Quaint to Uber-Chic," 11 July 2019 Both are miked up, their gray armchairs angled toward one another in front of a tastefully neutral background.
—
New York Times, "What Can a Star Like Cardi B Do for a Politician Like Sanders?," 11 Sep. 2019 Its title attests to the detachment of so many of us watching the news in our armchairs as neglect, devastation, and violent oppression flicker across the screen.
—
Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "At Mass MoCA, artist Cauleen Smith offers visions of black resilience," 29 Aug. 2019 Outside her tent, Big Mama threaded a rope through her plastic armchairs, a safeguard against thieves.
—
Los Angeles Times, "After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy," 15 Aug. 2019 Inside are armchairs, tables with flower vases and a small tea set.
—
Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney train station getting the Lego treatment," 12 Aug. 2019 Many men his age have already found comfort in their armchairs.
—
Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: No unity in the analysis of Mueller testimony (7/28/19)," 28 July 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Undaunted: Normandy Previous SlideNext Slide Historical battle games can be a bit of a niche, with lots of complex simulations catering to hardcore armchair generals.
—
Owen Duffy, Ars Technica, "The best new board games from the world’s biggest board game show," 3 Nov. 2019 Where armchair psychoanalysts are concerned, there has always been speculation as to whether Mozart intended the piece to be played at his own funeral mass.
—
Mike Giuliano, baltimoresun.com, "Columbia Pro Cantare lifts voices to heaven for Mozart Requiem," 25 Oct. 2019 Storytellers, travel writers and artists have been stimulating the senses of armchair tourists for centuries.
—
Adam Minter, chicagotribune.com, "Your next vacation may be virtual," 15 Oct. 2019 What does all that mean for the armchair Nobel Prize speculator?
—
Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Who Will Win the 2019 (or the 2018!) Nobel Prize in Literature?," 9 Oct. 2019 That’s the armchair view of somebody who doesn’t run a business.
—
Patricia Cohen, New York Times, "Economic Antidote for a Shrinking America: Immigrants," 22 Aug. 2019 That person was scolded by yet another armchair pundit—perhaps unfairly, because Boston actually makes a similar point describing her life for the past 10 years.
—
Lila Maclellan, Quartz at Work, "Lessons from a young professional who just finished repaying $222,817.26 of student loans," 22 Aug. 2019 Fret not; even if a picture-perfect getaway isn’t on your schedule, there’s plenty of inspiration and armchair travel to pick up on from the celebrities who do it best.
—
Raisa Bruner, Time, "Stoke Your Fear of Missing Out With These Sought-After Celebrity Vacation Getaways," 16 July 2019 But here’s what administrators, school presidents and armchair attorneys need to understand.
—
Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al.com, "Basketball corruption could upstage SEC Media Days," 14 July 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'armchair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for armchair
armchair
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of armchair
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a chair with supports for your arms
armchair
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of armchair (Entry 2 of 2)
—used to describe people who like to read about or watch the dangerous or exciting activities of other people
—used to describe people who like to give opinions about matters they do not have to deal with themselves and do not have responsibility for
See the full definition for armchair in the English Language Learners Dictionary
armchair
nounarm·chair | \ ˈärm-ˌcher \
\Kids Definition of armchair
: a chair with armrests
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on armchair
What made you want to look up armchair? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz
- Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz
Match the pasta with its meaning in Italian.
Take the quiz - Confusing Words—A Quiz
Test your knowledge of these commonly confused words!
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Citation
Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?
Play the game
Share armchair
Resources for armchair