noun
bicep
BEYE-sehp
Bicep (noun) means informal singular form of "biceps," the muscle at the front of the upper arm. Example: “He pulled a bicep lifting the couch.”
noun
1
Informal singular form of "biceps," the muscle at the front of the upper arm.
"He pulled a bicep lifting the couch."
How to use bicep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe everyday singular form of biceps, even though strictly the word "biceps" is already singular.
Common mistake
Grammar purists prefer "biceps" even for one arm, but "bicep" is now standard in casual speech.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- biceps
Fill the gap
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He pulled a _____ lifting the couch.
Etymology
A back-formation from "biceps" — in Latin, biceps is already singular ("two-headed"), but English speakers reinterpreted the final "-s" as a plural marker and invented "bicep" as the singular.
Frequently asked questions
What does “bicep” mean?
The word “bicep” means informal singular form of "biceps," the muscle at the front of the upper arm. In plain terms, the everyday singular form of biceps, even though strictly the word "biceps" is already singular.
How do you pronounce “bicep”?
“Bicep” is pronounced BEYE-sehp (/ˈbaɪsɛp/ in IPA).
How do you use “bicep” in a sentence?
Here is “bicep” used in a sentence: “He pulled a bicep lifting the couch.”
What part of speech is “bicep”?
“Bicep” is a noun.
Where does the word “bicep” come from?
The word “bicep” comes from Latin. A back-formation from "biceps" — in Latin, biceps is already singular ("two-headed"), but English speakers reinterpreted the final "-s" as a plural marker and invented "bicep" as the singular.
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