Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to or located in the armpit: Pertaining to the area beneath the shoulder joint where the arm connects to the torso.
   • Executed with the hand below the level of the shoulder: Describing a motion, especially in sports, where the hand is kept low, not raised above the shoulder.

2. Adverb:

   • With an underarm motion: In a manner where the hand or arm is swung forward and upward from a position below the shoulder level.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She applied underarm deodorant. (She applied deodorant to her armpits.)
  • He practiced his underarm serve in tennis. (He practiced a serve where his hand remained below his shoulder.)

• Adverb:

  • In cricket, the ball must be bowled overarm, not underarm. (In cricket, the ball must be delivered with the hand above the shoulder, not from below it.)
  • She threw the ball underarm to her young child. (She threw the ball using a low, gentle motion from below her shoulder.)

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Sports Context: In sports like tennis, badminton, or cricket, "underarm" specifies a legal or illegal technique based on the rules.
  • The underarm bowling incident in 1981 caused a major controversy in cricket.
• Anatomical/Grooming Context: Commonly used to describe products or issues related to the armpit area.
  • Underarm sweat can be managed with antiperspirants.

Variants and Related Words

• Underhand (adj/adv): Often used synonymously with "underarm" in sports contexts (e.g., an underhand throw). However, "underhand" can also mean "sly" or "secret," which "underarm" does not.
• Axillary (adj): The formal medical or biological term for relating to the armpit (e.g., axillary lymph nodes).

Synonyms

• Adjective (anatomical): Axillary, armpit.
• Adjective/Adverb (motion): Underhand, low-arm.

Antonyms

• Adjective/Adverb (motion): Overarm, overhand, overhead.

Related Phrases

• Underarm hair: Hair that grows in the armpit.
• Underarm service: In sports like tennis or badminton, a serve executed with an underarm motion, often used as a surprise tactic or with beginners.

Adjective

1. with hand brought forward and up from below shoulder level
   • an underhand pitch
   • an underhand stroke

Adverb

1. with the hand swung below shoulder level
   • throwing a ball underarm