underarm
underarm Lexical Profile
underarm Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Located, applied, or situated beneath the arm or in the armpit.
"The tailor adjusted the underarm seams of the jacket to give the wearer more room to move."
Thrown, bowled, or hit with the arm and hand kept below the level of the shoulder or waist.
"The tennis player surprised her opponent near the baseline with a sudden underarm serve."
• noun
The hollow beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder; the armpit.
"She applied a gentle roll-on deodorant to each underarm after showering."
The part of a garment that covers or fits into the hollow beneath the arm.
"The vintage wool sweater was still in good condition, except for a small tear in the left underarm."
• adverb
With the arm moving forward and upward from below the level of the shoulder or waist.
"In softball, the pitcher is required by the rules to pitch the ball underarm."
Word Nuance & Usage
In sports contexts, 'underarm' is preferred in British and Commonwealth English, whereas 'underhand' is more common in American English.