akimbo
adjective or adverb
akim·bo
ə-ˈkim-(ˌ)bō 
1
: having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward
2
: set in a bent position
a tailor sitting with legs akimbo
Did you know?
It's akimbo nowadays, but in Middle English, the adverbial phrase in kenebowe was used for the bent, hand-on-hip arm (or later, for any bent position). Originally, the term was fairly neutral, but now saying that a person is standing with "arms akimbo" implies a posture that communicates defiance, confidence, aggressiveness, or arrogance.
Examples of akimbo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On Wednesday, Noelle — bundled into a light-pink sweatshirt against the springtime cold — stood with her legs apart, arms slightly akimbo, locked into a track star’s almost-crouch.
—
Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near akimbo
Cite this Entry
“Akimbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/akimbo. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
akimbo
adjective or adverb
akim·bo
ə-ˈkim-bō
1
: having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward
2
: set in a bent position
legs akimbo
Etymology
Middle English in kenebowe "akimbo"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share