armpit

IPA/ˈɑːmpɪt/
KK[ˈɑrmpˌɪt]IPA/ˈɑːrmpɪt/

armpit — noun

  • armpitsingular
  • armpitsplural

1. the small hollow area on the underside of your body where the arm meets the shou

1.nounA2
Definition

the small hollow area on the underside of your body where the arm meets the shoulder

Example

Elena raised her arm and dabbed at the sweat in her armpit with a small towel.

collocation: dab at the sweat in the armpit

The doctor gently pressed on the child's armpit to check for swollen glands.

Common collocations
  • sweaty armpit
  • armpit hair
  • armpit rash
  • sore armpit
  • shave the armpits
Synonyms
  • underarm

    more common in everyday use, especially for hygiene products

  • axilla

    formal medical term used by doctors and in anatomy

Usage Note

Often used with possessive determiners (my/his/her armpit) or in the plural form (armpits).

Common Mistakes

She carried the bag under her armpit.
She carried the bag tucked between her arm and her side.
The armpit is the hollow itself, not the whole area under the arm.

2. the worst, dirtiest, or most unpleasant part of a larger area such as a city or

2.nounB2
Definition

the worst, dirtiest, or most unpleasant part of a larger area such as a city or country

Example

Locals call that neighbourhood the armpit of the city because of the pollution and crime.

pattern: the armpit of [place]

The old mining town had slowly become the armpit of the region after the factories closed.

Common collocations
  • the armpit of the city
  • the armpit of the country
  • the armpit of the region
Synonyms
  • pit

    shorter and slightly less strong than 'armpit'

  • dump

    informal, refers to a dirty or untidy place

  • hellhole

    stronger and more emotional, suggesting terrible living conditions

Antonyms
  • gem

    informal, describes a wonderful or beautiful place

Grammar Patterns

the armpit of [place]

Usage Note

Almost always used in the pattern 'the armpit of [place]'. Strongly disapproving and informal.

Common Mistakes

This city is an armpit.
This part of town is the armpit of the city.
This sense requires a comparison structure ('the armpit of...'), not just calling something an 'armpit' by itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to the same area of the body, but they differ in register and context. Armpit is the everyday word used in casual conversation and general writing; it is the most natural choice when talking about sweat, deodorant, or body hair. Underarm is slightly more neutral and is the preferred term in product labels, sports contexts, and clothing descriptions — you would say 'underarm deodorant' or 'underarm sweat pads', not 'armpit deodorant'. Axilla is a medical term used almost exclusively by doctors and in anatomy textbooks; a patient would say 'my armpit hurts', while a doctor would write 'tenderness in the left axilla' in a report. For most everyday situations, stick with 'armpit' or 'underarm'; save 'axilla' for formal or clinical writing.

armpit ↗underarm ↗axilla

Common collocations

Nouns

  • armpit sweat
  • armpit hair
  • armpit rash
  • armpit deodorant

Phrases

  • up to the armpits
  • the armpit of

Prepositions

  • under the armpit
  • in the armpit
  • at the armpit

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Armpit comes from Old English 'earm' (arm) and 'pytt' (a hollow or cavity in the ground), combined to describe the hollow spot under the arm. The word has been in use since before the 12th century.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1