underarm

1 of 3

adjective

un·​der·​arm ˈən-dər-ˈärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)
1
British : underhand sense 3
2
: placed under or on the underside of the arm
underarm seams

underarm

2 of 3

adverb

un·​der·​arm ˌən-dər-ˈärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)

underarm

3 of 3

noun

un·​der·​arm ˈən-dər-ˌärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)
1
2
: the part of a garment that covers the underside of the arm

Examples of underarm in a Sentence

Adverb He threw the ball underarm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Massage it gently into the underarm skin with your fingers until it is fully absorbed. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 June 2022 There was a time when underarm fragrance choices ranged from powder to… yeah, pretty much just powder. Marci Robin, Allure, 30 Aug. 2023 Underarm pads Davood shares that stick-on underarm pads will ensure that your sweat won't soak through your dress. Seventeen, 20 Apr. 2023 Often, these girls were taller than most of their peers and showed other signs of accelerated physical maturation, such as pubic hair and underarm odor. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2022 For the photo shoot, McAdams lounged in a black corset with her arm out to the side, her underarm hair on full display. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023 Medical experts later theorized that Lee’s fatal cerebral edema had been caused by heat stroke and over-exertion, exacerbated in part by Lee’s elective removal of his underarm sweat glands in 1972 (an ostensibly aesthetic choice made by the actor for appearance on film). Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 21 July 2023 In 2018, Polly proposed in his biography that the cerebral edema could have been caused by over-exertion and heat stroke, particularly as Lee had his underarm sweat glands removed in 1972. Adam England, Peoplemag, 20 July 2023 Other signs that a girl has stopped growing or will stop growing soon include: Body hair, including pubic and underarm hair, has finished growing. Maria Carter, Parents, 5 July 2023
Noun
Initially, the patch was designed to be held directly against the underarm for three minutes, but Hunt pivoted to add a flexible, adhesive layer at the suggestion of a physician advisor. Maura Lynch, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023 The design still incorporates three blades beneath the hypoallergenic foil, dual trimmers, wet/dry capabilities and a body contour-friendly angled head. From Finishing Touch, the brand behind the cult-favorite peach fuzz-buster for face, comes a relatively new shaver for your underarms. Abbie Kozolchyk, wsj.com, 12 Sep. 2023 This antiperspirant leaves underarms dry and odor-free but does leave behind white residue on the skin. Lacey Muinos, Health, 25 May 2023 In fact, our underarms can be just as sensitive—and thanks to our deodorants and antiperspirants, they're subjected to active ingredients. Lindy Segal, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 July 2023 Other beneficial ingredients include aloe and shea butter, which help remove dark pigmentation, moisturize your skin and keep your underarms feeling smooth. Joseph Cheatham, Men's Health, 14 July 2023 The moisture from sweating can become uncomfortable or lead to odors, so many people want to prevent damp underarms in the first place. Lacey Muinos, Health, 25 May 2023 A lot of women can relate—many people look up ways on how to lose arm fat online, and there are tons of workout videos claiming to zero in on the underarms. Ashley Mateo, Women's Health, 8 Apr. 2023 The bikini area and underarms also tend to be painful because the skin is thinner in these spots, the experts explain. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 21 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underarm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underarm was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near underarm

Cite this Entry

“Underarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underarm. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

underarm

1 of 3 adjective
un·​der·​arm ˌən-də-ˌrärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)
1
: underhand entry 2 sense 2
an underarm toss
2
: placed under or on the underside of the arm
underarm seams

underarm

2 of 3 adverb
un·​der·​arm ˌən-də-ˈrärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)
: with an underarm motion

underarm

3 of 3 noun
un·​der·​arm ˈən-də-ˌrärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)
1
: armpit
2
: the part of a garment that covers the underside of the arm

Medical Definition

underarm

noun
un·​der·​arm ˈən-dər-ˌärm How to pronounce underarm (audio)
: armpit

More from Merriam-Webster on underarm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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