akimbo

Formsakimbos, akimboing, akimboed

1. 1
   arms bent outadjective

   Of the arms, or of a person's stance, with the hands on the hips and the elbows bent outward.

   The coach watched the scrimmage from the sideline, arms akimbo, saying nothing.

   The portrait shows the young duke with one elbow akimbo and a hand on his sword.

   UsageFollows the noun, often after with: with her arms akimbo, hands akimbo, one elbow akimbo.

2. 2
   legs spreadadjective

   Of the legs, spread apart with the knees bent outward or at an awkward angle, sometimes with the feet touching.

   The marionette slumped in its case, legs akimbo and strings tangled.

   For the butterfly stretch, sit with your legs akimbo and the soles of your feet pressed together.

   UsageFollows the noun: legs akimbo, knees akimbo.

   Similarsplayed

   Note

   Knees can be akimbo too, because the word names a bend rather than a limb: the "keen bow" likely behind the hand-on-hip pose fits a knee as well as an elbow. The outward angle stays the same, but on the legs it tips more easily into awkwardness than poise.

3. 3
   adjective

   Crooked or jutting out at odd angles; in looser use, untidy and disordered.

   After the party, the chairs were scattered akimbo across the lawn.

   The storm knocked the fence posts akimbo, and half the boards were missing.

   UsageUsually follows its noun: chairs scattered akimbo, hair all akimbo.

   Similaraskew, crooked

   Note

   A loosening of the old posture word: arms akimbo meant hands on hips with the elbows jutting out, probably from Middle English in kene bowe, "in a sharp bend". The picture of jutting angles spread to legs, hats and hair, and loosely to plain disorder. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • The traditional posture involves hands on hips and elbows pointing outward. en.wiktionary.org
   • Akimbo probably derives from Middle English in kene bowe, interpreted as meaning 'in a sharp bend'. en.wiktionary.org
4. 4
   two weaponsadverb

   Of weapons, especially firearms, held so that there is one in each hand.

   The gunslinger strode down the empty street, revolvers akimbo.

   The stunt coordinator taught the actor to fire two pistols akimbo without dropping either.

   UsageFollows the weapons: pistols akimbo, revolvers akimbo.

   Note

   The image belongs mostly to westerns, action films and games, where two guns at once look bold even though they make careful aim harder. Gaming slang has gone a step further and made a verb of it. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

   • The image of using two guns together is associated particularly with fictional media, including westerns. en.wikipedia.org
   • Using two guns together makes careful aiming harder. gunmagwarehouse.com
   • Akimbo also exists as a verb in gaming slang. en.wiktionary.org
5. 5
   verbslangtransitive

   In video games, to wield a pair of weapons, holding one in each hand.

   Once you unlock the perk, you can akimbo any of the pistols in your loadout.

   Akimboing the heavy machine guns slows your character to a crawl.

   UsageRegular forms: akimbos, akimboing, akimboed.

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