armchair

noun arm·chair \ ˈärm-ˌcher \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Definition of armchair

: a chair with armrests

See armchair defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of armchair from the Web

The delegates sit in fine mahogany armchairs, not the plain Windsor chairs actually provided.

— olivia b. waxman, Time, "This Painting Is Probably How You Imagine the Original Fourth of July. Here's What's Wrong With It," 3 July 2018
These include a pair of shrunken orange armchairs, a vibrant green (houseplant) jungle and the shoes.

— gail goldberg, SFChronicle.com, "Intentionally Blank steps it up with new Mission store," 21 June 2018
The result is Calvin Klein’s first ever installation at Design Miami/Basel, in Switzerland, featuring 100 limited edition Cassina Feltri armchairs, each adorned with a custom heirloom quilt chosen by the creative director.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "Raf Simons Brings Americana to a New Medium: Calvin Klein Chairs," 11 June 2018
Twenty-eight wrought iron armchairs have colorful cushions.

— myrna petlicki, Lake County News-Sun, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Reflections Restaurant & Lounge in Lake Villa," 7 July 2018
The ottoman is cushioned and white, situated in front of a pair of armchairs and dropped between an expansive kitchen and a living space lit by walls of windows.

— ross dellenger, SI.com, "The Never-Before-Told Story of Kelly Orgeron, Colorful Wife of LSU's Colorful Head Coach," 2 July 2018
Watch as Rocco attempts to climb up the back of this armchair for a little lounge-time.

— kayla nicole isaacs, Woman's Day, "Watch This Chair Adorably Defeat the World's Fluffiest Sheepdog," 25 July 2016
That would keep psychiatrists and psychologists from frivolous armchair psychoanalyzing.

— sharon begley, STAT, "Leave a Comment," 28 June 2018
Go on an adventure from your armchair by reading a story instead of watching a screen.

— liz bentley /, NBC News, "Find your greatness this summer," 28 June 2018

These 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.

First Known Use of armchair

1585

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

armchair

adjective

Definition of armchair

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

armchair strategists

2 : sharing vicariously in another's experiences

an armchair traveler

See armchair defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of armchair from the Web

Prior to the tournament, an armchair pundit or two may have labelled them the 'dark horse', or a team who could 'surprise a few'.

— SI.com, "Pride and Passion: Croatia's Unrelenting Fighting Spirit Continues to Carry National Hope," 12 July 2018
With today’s armchair analysis of the LeBron James 2018 decision comes Maria Shriver and Rob Lowe, who thanks to analysis from Shriver’s sons, believe that James will be going to the Lakers next season.

— nina mandell, For The Win, "LeBron James watch: Maria Shriver, Rob Lowe say he's going to the Lakers," 29 June 2018
Wildlife officials, for some reason, are not relying on the armchair theories about the wolflike creature.

— author: cleve r. wootson jr., Anchorage Daily News, "A wolflike creature was stalking livestock in Montana. Authorities have no idea what it is.," 26 May 2018
The company has repeatedly cast Kogan as a singularly bad apple, while the armchair sleuths of the internet have used his Russian heritage and research ties to St. Petersburg University to accuse him of being a Russian spy.

— issie lapowsky, WIRED, "The Man Who Saw the Dangers of Cambridge Analytica Years Ago," 19 June 2018
The notions of tough love and enabling—ubiquitous in American culture—are tossed about casually by self-help gurus, armchair psychologists and well-meaning friends.

— Woman's Day, "Why I Abandoned Tough Love Instead of My Child," 1 July 2016
In the Twitter world, armchair coaches were wondering why Steve Kerr didn’t do a mercy benching, allowing Curry to slip out the arena’s back door under disguise before the final buzzer.

— scott ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "In the end, Warriors’ Stephen Curry was a difference-maker," 6 June 2018
Wildlife officials, for some reason, are not relying on the armchair theories about the wolflike creature.

— author: cleve r. wootson jr., Anchorage Daily News, "A wolflike creature was stalking livestock in Montana. Authorities have no idea what it is.," 26 May 2018
Wildlife officials, for some reason, are not relying on the armchair theories about the wolflike creature.

— cleve r. wootson jr., Washington Post, "A wolflike creature was stalking livestock in Montana. Authorities have no idea what it is.," 25 May 2018

First Known Use of armchair

1809

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

ARMCHAIR Defined for English Language Learners

armchair

noun

Definition of armchair for English Language Learners

: a chair with supports for your arms

armchair

adjective

Definition of armchair for English Language Learners

—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