underarm
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌʌndərˈɑːm/
US
- /ˌəndərˈɑrm/
Description
- Armpit
- Place where the arm meets the body
- Where deodorant goes
- Axilla
- Hollow beneath the arm
Think about where you put on deodorant: that is your underarm. It is the soft hollow where your arm joins your body, just below the shoulder. People often use this word when talking about sweat, body odor, shaving, skin care, or hair in that area. It also comes up with clothes like tank tops or sleeveless shirts, because that part of the body is easy to see. It is a small area, but it shows up often in daily life and personal care.
The "underarm" is the area on the body just below the shoulder, where the arm joins the side of the body. In anatomy, this area is called the axilla, but in normal conversation people usually say "underarm" or, more casually, "armpit." It is a soft hollow rather than a flat surface, and it is a part of the body people notice in everyday situations.
This word often appears in conversations about hygiene and comfort because this area can sweat easily, and many people use deodorant or antiperspirant there. It is also common in talk about shaving, skin care, hair removal, or irritation from fabric and movement. Doctors may also mention the underarm when checking for pain, swelling, rashes, or lumps in that area.
The word can also describe things related to that part of the body, such as underarm deodorant, underarm hair, or underarm sweat stains on clothing. In fashion, sports, health, and personal care, it is a simple word with many everyday uses. Even though it names a small part of the body, it connects to comfort, cleanliness, appearance, and health.
Examples
- 1
Personal care
She put on underarm deodorant before leaving for work.
- 2
Clothing stains
The shirt showed dark underarm stains after the game.
- 3
Sports instruction
The coach told the kids to throw the ball underarm, not overarm.
Pattern
throw underarm
throw with your hand moving below shoulder level
- 4
Tennis serve
Some beginners use an underarm serve until they feel confident enough to serve overhead.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- underarmnounadjectiveadverb
Forms
- underarmspluralnounadjectiveadverb