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Glite Dictionary
akimbo

akimbo

1 9.9
A position where arms or legs are bent outward, often with hands on hips
  • adjective
  • /əˈkɪmboʊ/
translation icon : en jarras
  • She stood proudly with her hands on her hips and her arms akimbo.
  • arms akimbo
  • legs akimbo

Squatting or standing with arms akimbo.

Examples

  • Gay lays back across the satin sheets, legs and arms akimbo, relaxed and aroused.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "I gave him my best pose, with my head flung back seductively, my lips pouting, and my hands akimbo so as not to block his view of my budding chest.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Can I go from one arm akimbo to this?

  • We'll stand here and block him... arms akimbo if necessary.

    Bulworth (1998)

  • For effect, I decided to appear larger than life, feet spread and arms akimbo.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • So Gary, you made reference to parents getting arms akimbo about these kids breaking their toys.

  • You know, his legs are akimbo a little bit, so they're out more like that.

  • The teacher looked at the students with her arms akimbo, waiting for an answer.

  • He posed for the photo with his arms akimbo, showcasing his confidence.

Antonyms

straight
442 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

How Bent

akimbo
1 9.9
bent
21 1.0
straight
442 1.0

Surface Forms

akimbo positive

Etymology

The word akimbo probably comes from an old phrase made of a- meaning 'in' and a root like kimbo meaning 'bent' or 'crooked', creating the image of arms or legs turned out to the side. So, akimbo today means standing or sitting with limbs 'bent outward', often with hands on the hips.