underarm

1 of 3

adjective

un·​der·​arm ˈən-dər-ˈärm 

1

British : underhand sense 3

2

: placed under or on the underside of the arm

underarm seams

underarm

2 of 3

adverb

un·​der·​arm ˌən-dər-ˈärm 

: underhand

underarm

3 of 3

noun

un·​der·​arm ˈən-dər-ˌärm 

1

: armpit sense 1

2

: the part of a garment that covers the underside of the arm

Examples of underarm in a Sentence

Adverb

He threw the ball underarm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Fur Ingrown Deodorant for $18: My relationship with this deodorant is as complicated as my relationship with my underarm hair. —Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 31 Jan. 2025

The wide back and underarm panels lie flat against the skin, so the bra is nearly undetectable under clothing, with no visible lines showing through even the thinnest T-shirt in our tests. —Cai Cramer, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

Noun

The patches typically appear on the chest, upper back, neck, underarms, and upper arms.7 On lighter skin, the patches tend to be pink, red, or pale brown. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025

Cuffs, collars, and underarms are typically the first spots to become soiled. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

underarm

1 of 3 adjective

un·​der·​arm ˌən-də-ˌrärm 

1

: underhand entry 2 sense 2

an underarm toss

2

: placed under or on the underside of the arm

underarm seams

underarm

2 of 3 adverb

un·​der·​arm ˌən-də-ˈrärm 

: with an underarm motion

underarm

3 of 3 noun

un·​der·​arm ˈən-də-ˌrärm 

1

: armpit

2

: the part of a garment that covers the underside of the arm

Medical Definition

underarm

noun

un·​der·​arm ˈən-dər-ˌärm 

: armpit