AKIMBO Definition & Meaning

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akimbo

[ uh-kim-boh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

with hand on hip and elbow bent outward:
to stand with arms akimbo.
(of limbs) splayed out in an awkward or ungainly manner:
After the strenuous hike, she sat on the floor with her legs akimbo.
(of limbs) fully extended in opposite directions:
The dancer warmed up with his arms and legs stretched akimbo.
to one side; askew; awry: He woke up from his nap, hair akimbo.
They wore their hats akimbo.
He woke up from his nap, hair akimbo.

akimbo

/ əˈ��ɪ��əʊ /

adjective

arms akimbo or with arms akimbo
with hands on hips and elbows projecting outwards

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of akimbo¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English in kenebowe, from unattested Old Norse i keng boginn “bent into a crook” ( i “i��,” keng, accusative of kengr “h�Ǵǰ�,” boginn, past participle of ��ū�� “to bend”)

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of akimbo¹

C15 in kenebowe, literally: in keen bow, that is, in a sharp curve

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

For Season 1, he gave Mark S. that burden, except Mark is holding a group of other Marks, limbs akimbo.

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A beat kicks in, and three women stand arms akimbo, bouncing their hips like a Motown girl group.

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The comedian then proceeds to hop ecstatically across the stage with one leg akimbo: “That song was penned with a toucan’s beak dipped in ink while riding a zebra side-saddle.”

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But the visible satisfaction of the model’s pose — arm akimbo, hand jauntily on hip, bottom thrust out with confidence — also marks a forceful break with the passivity of the female nude.

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The flair stems largely from his figure’s tilted bowler hat and its somewhat akimbo power pose.

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