HOW TO PRONOUNCE
akimbo
/əˈkɪm.boʊ/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does akimbo mean?
adjective
- With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward.
- With legs spread and the knees bent in an outward or awkward way, sometimes with the feet touching.
adverb
- Into, in, or of the position where the arms are akimbo.
More meanings (2)
adverb
- Of weapons, especially firearms: one held in each hand.
verb
- (slang) To wield (two weapons), one in each hand.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/əˈkɪm.boʊ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
I turned and stared, arms akimbo, at the thick green behind me, into which the steamy ravine cut like a smoking gash.
Not till La Ricaneuse stands before her with bare, black arms akimbo, uttering a volley of vile abuse and of brazen impudence.
More book examples (3)
“Now, then, mister,” said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, “what are you driving at? Let’s have it straight, now.”
The handsome young soldier who had brought the wood, setting his arms akimbo, began stamping his cold feet rapidly and deftly on the spot where he stood.
It will then be seen that the surface turned to the observer presents the principal features of the human figure, standing with arms akimbo face to face with the observer.