underarm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- with hand brought forward and up from below shoulder level
- an underhand pitch
- an underhand stroke
Adverb
- with the hand swung below shoulder level
- throwing a ball underarm