-
1either of the two long parts that stick out from the top of the body and connect the shoulders to the hands He escaped with only a broken arm. She threw her arms around his neck. The officer grabbed him by the arm (= grabbed his arm). She touched him gently on the arm. He held the dirty rag at arm's length (= as far away from his body as possible). They walked along arm in arm (= with the arm of one person linked with the arm of the other). She cradled the child in her arms. They fell asleep in each other's arms (= holding each other). He was carrying a number of files under his arm (= between his arm and his body). He walked in with a tall blond lady on his arm (= next to him and holding his arm). Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
of clothing - 2the part of a piece of clothing that covers the arm synonym sleeve The arms will need shortening.
- 3the part of a chair, etc. on which you rest your arms She perched on the arm of his chair. of machinery
- 4a long narrow part of an object or a piece of machinery, especially one that moves, for example a crane of water/land
- 5a long narrow piece of water or land that is joined to a larger area A bridge spans the arm of the river. of organization
- 6[usually singular] arm (of something) a section of a large organization that deals with one particular activity synonym wing the research arm of the company Idioms
part of body
with your hands on your hips and your elbows pointing away from your body
very long There's a list of repairs as long as your arm.
a very small baby that cannot yet walk
to be a soldier; to fight
to cost/pay a lot of money
to put one of your arms over the other one and hold them against your body He stood watching her with his arms folded across his chest.
used to say that someone is willing to give up a lot in order to have or do something that they really want I'd have given my right arm to be there with them.
to avoid having a close relationship with someone He keeps all his clients at arm's length.
something that gives someone or something the help or encouragement they need
to persuade or force someone to do something
if you welcome someone with open arms, you are extremely happy and pleased to see them
Check pronunciation: arm