noun
armpit
AHRM-piht
Armpit (noun) means the hollow under the shoulder where the arm joins the body. Example: “He dabbed deodorant under each armpit before heading out.”
noun
1
The hollow under the shoulder where the arm joins the body.
"He dabbed deodorant under each armpit before heading out."
"The shirt was soaked with sweat around the armpits."
2
Informally, a place or thing considered unpleasant, dirty, or undesirable.
"He joked that the motel was the armpit of the whole town."
How to use armpit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe area under your arm — or, informally, a way of calling a place grim and unpleasant.
When to use it
The "unpleasant place" sense is informal and often a bit rude about the place in question.
Common pairings
under the armpit
armpit hair
armpit of the country
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Word forms
- Plural
- armpits
Fill the gap
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He dabbed deodorant under each _____ before heading out.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "arm" and "pit", going back to Middle English.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “armpit” mean?
The word “armpit” means the hollow under the shoulder where the arm joins the body. In plain terms, the area under your arm — or, informally, a way of calling a place grim and unpleasant.
How do you pronounce “armpit”?
“Armpit” is pronounced AHRM-piht (/ˈɑɹmˌpɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “armpit” in a sentence?
Here is “armpit” used in a sentence: “He dabbed deodorant under each armpit before heading out.”
What part of speech is “armpit”?
“Armpit” is a noun.
Where does the word “armpit” come from?
The word “armpit” comes from Middle English. A straightforward compound of "arm" and "pit", going back to Middle English.
How many meanings does “armpit” have?
“Armpit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hollow under the shoulder where the arm joins the body.
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