elbow

elbow — noun

1. Your elbow is the joint halfway along your arm that bends, allowing your forearm

1.nounA1
Definition

Your elbow is the joint halfway along your arm that bends, allowing your forearm to move toward your upper arm. When used for clothing, the same word describes the section of a sleeve positioned over this joint.

Example

Cyrus hurt his elbow when he fell off his bike.

The elbow of her jacket had a small hole in the fabric.

clothing sense — the elbow of a garment

Common collocations
  • bend your elbow
  • rest your elbow(s)
  • fracture your elbow
  • the elbow of a sleeve
  • elbow patch
Synonyms
  • joint

    a more general term for any place where two bones meet in the body

Usage Note

The clothing sense is most common in phrases like 'the elbow of a sleeve' or with compound nouns such as 'elbow patch.'

Common Mistakes

I hurt my elbow joint
I hurt my elbow.
'Elbow' already refers to the joint, so adding 'joint' is redundant.

2. The place where something long and narrow, such as a pipe, a road, or a river, m

2.nounB1
Definition

The place where something long and narrow, such as a pipe, a road, or a river, makes a sudden turn that creates a corner much like a bent arm.

Example

The plumber fixed the leak at the elbow of the kitchen pipe.

pipe fitting — plumbing context

The river takes a sharp elbow just past the old bridge.

Common collocations
  • pipe elbow
  • elbow joint
  • river elbow
  • sharp elbow
  • elbow turn
Synonyms
  • bend

    a more general term for any curve or turn in a road, pipe, or river

  • corner

    a sharp change of direction, often at a right angle

Usage Note

Common in technical writing about plumbing, construction, and geography. For roads and rivers, 'bend' is a more general alternative.

3. On a basketball court, either of two positions where the free-throw line and ano

3.nounC1
Definition

On a basketball court, either of two positions where the free-throw line and another painted line intersect to create a sharp L-shaped corner.

Example

The point guard took the shot from the elbow of the key.

basketball court position — elbow of the key

Yumi passed the ball to Anna, who was waiting at the right elbow.

Common collocations
  • at the elbow
  • the left elbow
  • the right elbow
  • from the elbow
  • elbow of the key

Usage Note

Technical basketball terminology used by coaches and advanced players. In game commentary, 'from the elbow' describes a common shooting position.

Idioms

get the elbow

idiom

To be told by someone that they no longer want a relationship with you or that you should leave.

After the argument, Tom got the elbow from his girlfriend.

Did you hear that Maya got the elbow from her boss?

give somebody the elbow

idiom

To tell someone that you no longer want a relationship with them or that they should leave.

Sara gave her noisy neighbor the elbow after the party.

Why did Brian give his business partner the elbow?

more power to somebody’s elbow

idiom

Used to encourage someone or show support for what they are doing.

You're running for mayor? More power to your elbow!

More power to your elbow, Diego—keep up the good work.

not know your arse from your elbow

idiom

To be very stupid or lack basic skill or knowledge.

That mechanic doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

How can she be a doctor if she doesn't know her arse from her elbow?

rub elbows with somebody

idiom

To meet and spend time with famous or important people, either socially or at work.

At the film festival, Aiden rubbed elbows with famous directors.

Mina loves rubbing elbows with celebrities at charity events.

elbow — verb

Word family

  • elbow room
    nounB2
  • elbow grease
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These four words describe connected parts of the upper limb, and learners often mix them up. 'Arm' is the broadest term — it covers the whole limb from shoulder to hand ('She carried the bag in her arm'). 'Forearm' is the section between the elbow and the wrist ('He rested his forearm on the table to write'). 'Wrist' is the joint that connects the forearm to the hand ('She wore a watch around her wrist'). 'Elbow' refers only to the hinge-like joint at the midpoint of the arm. A good way to remember: when you bend your arm, the elbow is the point that sticks out; what goes up is the forearm; the part above is the upper arm; and the whole thing is the arm.

arm ↗forearm ↗wrist ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • elbow room
  • elbow grease
  • at your elbow

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanic languagesEnglish

Elbow comes from Old English 'elnboga,' a compound of 'eln' (forearm, a unit of measurement) and 'boga' (bow or arch). The word literally meant 'arm bend.' Similar compounds exist across Germanic languages, such as German 'Ellenbogen' and Dutch 'elleboog.' The image of a bent arm has also shaped the word's extended uses for pipe fittings, road turns, and basketball positions.