elbow
noun · verb
Simple meaning
Hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
ehlbohSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈɛlboʊ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
anatomy
Hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
The joint of a mammal or bird that corresponds to the human elbow
by extension
Any turn or bend like that of the elbow, in a wall, building, coastline, etc.; an angular or jointed part of any structure, such as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent.
A hit, strike, or blow with the elbow.
verb
Shove one's elbow into another person's ribs
To nudge, jostle or push.
informalwith "out" or "aside"
To force (someone) to quit or lose their job so that someone else can be hired.
Push one's way with the elbows
transitive
To push with the elbow or elbows; to forge ahead using the elbows to assist.
To strike with the elbow.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
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More ways to use elbow
- “His coat had patches over the elbows.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Use of physical or mental energy.
Protective garment consisting of a pad worn over the elbow by football and hockey players.
Space for movement.
Hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped.
The inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm.
Hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.