akimbo
akimbo Lexical Profile
akimbo Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having the hands on the hips and the elbows turned outward.
"The coach stood on the sideline with his arms akimbo, watching the final minutes of the game."
Flung out widely, haphazardly, or at awkward angles (especially of limbs).
"Exhausted from the long hike, the children collapsed onto the sofa with their legs akimbo."
• adverb
With the hands on the hips and the elbows bowed outward.
"She stood akimbo in the doorway, waiting for an explanation for the mess in the kitchen."
At awkward angles or in a crooked, splayed position.
"After the gust of wind, several patio umbrellas lay akimbo across the lawn."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adjective, 'akimbo' is placed postpositively (after the noun it modifies), most commonly in the fixed phrase 'arms akimbo' rather than before a noun.
• Rhymes for akimbo
Word Origin & Etymology
From the Middle English phrase 'in kenebowe', probably of Old Norse origin (compare Icelandic 'i keng', meaning 'crooked'), literally translating to 'in a sharp bend'.