armchair

American  

[ahrm-chair] / ˈɑrmˌtʃɛər /

noun

1. a chair with sidepieces or arms to support a person's forearms or elbows.

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adjective

1. theorizing without the benefit of practical experience.

   an armchair football coach.

2. participating or experiencing indirectly or vicariously.

   an armchair traveler.

armchair British  

/ ˈɑːmˌtʃɛə /

noun

1. a chair, esp an upholstered one, that has side supports for the arms or elbows

2. (modifier) taking no active part; lacking practical experience; theoretical

   an armchair strategist

3. (modifier) participated in away from the place of action or in the home

   armchair theatre

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Etymology

Origin of armchair

First recorded in 1625–35; arm ¹ + chair

Example Sentences

I am blindfolded and seated in a vintage armchair set in the center of a darkened, red-lit room with Gothic accents.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Francisco Gonzalez, a 79-year-old retiree, also said he had a sleepless night in the dark, "sitting in an armchair at home, waiting for the power to come back on."

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

On a Saturday night in November 2001, 91-year-old Mabel Leyshon was watching TV in her favourite armchair.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Nanos’s decision to declare the crime scene at Guthrie’s home “done” so early in the investigation has drawn criticism from armchair pundits and former law-enforcement officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

He sat down in the armchair, and for the first time she noticed how much space there was between the furniture, how sparse her flat was, how unlived in.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• recliner