elbow
EHL-boh
Elbow (noun) means the joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm. Example: “He scraped his elbow when he fell off his bike.”
noun
1
The joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm.
"He scraped his elbow when he fell off his bike."
"She leaned on the table with her elbows."
"Keep your elbow bent when you carry the heavy tray."
2
A sharp bend or angled section, such as in a pipe, road, or piece of furniture.
"The plumber replaced the rusted elbow joint under the sink."
"The road makes a sharp elbow just after the bridge."
"Fit an elbow to the pipe so it turns the corner."
verb
1
To push or shove using the elbow, often to force a way through a crowd.
"He elbowed his way to the front of the queue."
"She elbowed him gently to get his attention."
"He elbowed past the shoppers to reach the last loaf."
How to use elbow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bendy joint in the middle of your arm, or, as a verb, to shove your way somewhere using it.
Common pairings
elbow your way
elbow room
elbow joint
rest your elbows
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Word forms
- Plural
- elbows
- Third person singular
- elbows
- Past tense
- elbowed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He scraped his _____ when he fell off his bike.
Etymology
From Old English elboga, a combination of words meaning "ell" (a unit of length, roughly forearm-sized) and "bow" (a bend).
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “elbow” mean?
The word “elbow” means the joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm. In plain terms, the bendy joint in the middle of your arm, or, as a verb, to shove your way somewhere using it.
How do you pronounce “elbow”?
“Elbow” is pronounced EHL-boh (/ˈɛlboʊ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “elbow” in a sentence?
Here is “elbow” used in a sentence: “He scraped his elbow when he fell off his bike.”
What part of speech is “elbow”?
Depending on how it is used, “elbow” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “elbow” come from?
The word “elbow” comes from Old English. From Old English elboga, a combination of words meaning "ell" (a unit of length, roughly forearm-sized) and "bow" (a bend).
Is “elbow” a common word?
“Elbow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “elbow” have?
“Elbow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm.
What is the difference between "elbow" and "nudge" as verbs?
To elbow someone means to push them physically with your elbow, often forcefully, to get past them or claim space. To nudge is gentler and can be a light touch with any part of the body, or even a figurative prompt, so "elbow" implies more force and intent than "nudge."
What does it mean to "elbow your way" through a crowd?
"Elbow your way" describes pushing forcefully through a tightly packed crowd using your elbows to create space, often implying rudeness or determination. It is commonly used figuratively too, as in "elbow your way into a market," meaning to force entry into a competitive situation.
Why is a bend in a pipe or road called an "elbow"?
A pipe or road "elbow" gets its name because the sharp angled bend resembles the shape of a bent human arm at the elbow joint. Plumbers specifically use "elbow" as the technical term for an angled pipe fitting.
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