akimbo

adjective or adverb

akim·​bo ə-ˈkim-(ˌ)bō 

1

: having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward

2

: set in a bent position

a tailor sitting with legs akimbo

Did you know?

It's akimbo nowadays, but in Middle English, the adverbial phrase in kenebowe was used for the bent, hand-on-hip arm (or later, for any bent position). Originally, the term was fairly neutral, but now saying that a person is standing with "arms akimbo" implies a posture that communicates defiance, confidence, aggressiveness, or arrogance.

Examples of akimbo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On Wednesday, Noelle — bundled into a light-pink sweatshirt against the springtime cold — stood with her legs apart, arms slightly akimbo, locked into a track star’s almost-crouch. —Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in kenebowe, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

akimbo

adjective or adverb

akim·​bo ə-ˈkim-bō 

1

: having the hand on the hip and the elbow turned outward

2

: set in a bent position

legs akimbo

Etymology

Middle English in kenebowe "akimbo"