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armchair

American  
[ahrm-chair] / ˈɑrmˌtʃɛər /

noun

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

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
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of armchair

First recorded in 1625–35; arm 1 + chair

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Cara found us in a big armchair at the edge of the party — José and I snug together while 30-some people mingled, drinks in hand.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 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 sighed and sat down heavily in an armchair.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.