Explanation at your level:
An armhole is a part of your clothes. It is the hole for your arm. You put your arm through it. Every shirt has two armholes. They help you move your arms.
When you buy a shirt, you look at the armhole. It is the opening where the sleeve is attached. If the armhole is too small, it is hard to move your arms. It is a very important part of a jacket or a dress.
The armhole is a structural element in clothing. It is the cut-out area where the sleeve meets the body of the garment. Tailors often measure the armhole to ensure the garment fits the wearer's body shape correctly. A comfortable fit depends on how well the armhole is designed.
In garment construction, the armhole—sometimes referred to as the armscye—is the critical junction where the sleeve is set into the bodice. Achieving the correct shape and size of the armhole is essential for both aesthetic appeal and physical mobility. If the armhole is cut incorrectly, it can cause the fabric to pull or bunch up when the wearer moves.
The armhole represents a significant challenge in pattern drafting. It is not merely a hole; it is a complex curve that must accommodate the shoulder's range of motion. Professional tailors use precise measurements to balance the armhole, ensuring that the garment remains stable while allowing the wearer to raise their arms without the entire shirt lifting. This is a hallmark of high-quality tailoring.
Etymologically, the armhole serves as a functional nexus in the history of sartorial design. While the term is utilitarian, its evolution reflects the transition from draped garments to fitted, structured clothing. The armhole's geometry dictates the silhouette of the garment, influencing how a sleeve hangs and how the shoulder line is perceived. Mastering the armhole is considered a rite of passage for any apprentice in the bespoke tailoring trade, as it requires an intimate understanding of human anatomy and fabric tension.
Word in 30 Seconds
- An armhole is the opening for the arm in a garment.
- It is essential for sleeve fit and arm movement.
- The technical term is armscye.
- It is a standard countable noun.
When you look at a shirt, you see the main body and the sleeves. The armhole is the specific gap where those two parts meet. It is a vital part of clothing construction that ensures you can move your arms freely without the whole shirt pulling or tugging.
Think of it as the gateway for your limb. If an armhole is too small, you feel restricted. If it is too large, the shirt might look baggy or slip off your shoulder. Tailors pay a lot of attention to this area to make sure your clothes feel comfortable and look sharp.
The word armhole is a straightforward compound of 'arm' and 'hole,' appearing in English as early as the 16th century. It describes the physical function of the space perfectly. While it sounds simple, the tailoring term for this area is armscye, which comes from Old French roots related to 'arm' and 'eye' (referring to the circular shape).
Historically, as fashion shifted from loose robes to tailored garments in the Middle Ages, the precision of the armhole became a sign of status. A well-fitted armhole meant you had a tailor who understood the geometry of the human body.
You will mostly hear armhole in contexts related to sewing, shopping, or tailoring. You might say, 'This shirt has a tight armhole,' or 'The armhole is cut too low.' It is a neutral, descriptive term used by both professionals and everyday shoppers.
Common collocations include deep armhole, tight armhole, and armhole measurement. It is rarely used metaphorically, unlike words like 'sleeve' or 'cuff,' so keep it strictly to clothing discussions!
While 'armhole' itself doesn't anchor many famous idioms, it is part of the broader clothing-related lexicon.
- To have a hole in one's pocket: To be a spendthrift.
- To be up in arms: To be very angry (uses 'arm').
- To twist someone's arm: To pressure someone.
- To wear one's heart on one's sleeve: To be emotional.
- To give the cold shoulder: To ignore someone.
The word is a standard countable noun. You can have one armhole or two armholes. It is pronounced /ˈɑːrmhoʊl/ in American English and /ˈɑːmhəʊl/ in British English.
It rhymes with 'farm-roll' or 'charm-pole.' Remember to stress the first syllable 'ARM-hole' to sound natural. It is a compound word, so it functions as a single unit in a sentence.
Fun Fact
The term has remained remarkably consistent in English since the 1500s.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'arm' followed by 'hole' with a British 'o' sound.
Clear 'r' sound in arm, followed by a long 'o' in hole.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'h' too softly
- Dropping the 'r' in American English
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand.
Standard noun usage.
Common in daily life.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Nouns
Arm + hole = armhole
Countable Nouns
One armhole, two armholes
Articles
The armhole
Examples by Level
Put your arm in the armhole.
Put your arm in the hole.
Imperative verb.
This shirt has a big armhole.
The hole is large.
Singular noun.
My arm is in the armhole.
My limb is inside.
Prepositional phrase.
The armhole is soft.
The fabric feels nice.
Adjective usage.
Look at the armhole.
See the hole.
Imperative.
It is a blue armhole.
The color is blue.
Adjective order.
I like this armhole.
I enjoy the design.
Subject-verb-object.
The armhole is clean.
It is not dirty.
State of being.
The armhole is too tight for me.
She measured the armhole carefully.
This dress has a very low armhole.
The tailor fixed the armhole.
I need a shirt with a larger armhole.
The armhole ripped during the game.
Is the armhole comfortable?
The armhole is stitched well.
The seam around the armhole is fraying.
He adjusted the armhole for a better fit.
The armhole design allows for easy movement.
She noticed the armhole was unevenly cut.
A deep armhole is common in tank tops.
The tailor reinforced the armhole with extra thread.
The armhole size determines the sleeve's comfort.
I prefer shirts with a higher armhole.
The armhole construction is vital for a jacket's silhouette.
He struggled to set the sleeve into the armhole.
The armhole depth was modified to improve ergonomics.
A well-cut armhole prevents the shirt from pulling up.
The pattern requires a precise armhole curve.
She complained that the armhole was chafing her skin.
The armhole seam needs to be pressed flat.
Tailoring the armhole is the hardest part of the process.
The armhole's geometry dictates the overall drape of the garment.
Achieving a seamless transition between the sleeve and the armhole is a mark of craftsmanship.
The armhole was drafted to accommodate a full range of motion.
Excessive fabric in the armhole can ruin the look of a tailored suit.
The armhole must be balanced to ensure the sleeve hangs correctly.
An improperly sized armhole can restrict the wearer's mobility significantly.
The tailor carefully eased the sleeve head into the armhole.
The armhole serves as the pivot point for the entire jacket.
The structural integrity of the armhole is paramount in bespoke tailoring.
The armhole's aperture must be calibrated to the wearer's specific shoulder articulation.
By manipulating the armhole, the tailor can create the illusion of a more athletic frame.
The subtle curve of the armhole is an exercise in complex three-dimensional geometry.
A high-cut armhole provides greater freedom of movement in formal evening wear.
The armhole's placement is the defining characteristic of a garment's fit.
Historically, the armhole underwent significant changes as fashion evolved toward more restrictive silhouettes.
The armhole acts as the fulcrum for the sleeve, balancing tension and drape.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"armhole of the world"
A place considered very unpleasant or dirty.
He called that small town the armhole of the world.
slang"to be in the armhole"
To be in a difficult, tight spot.
He is really in the armhole with this project.
rare"fit like an armhole"
To fit perfectly (rare variation).
The suit fits like an armhole.
rare"sleeve-deep"
Deeply involved in something.
He is sleeve-deep in work.
casual"cut to the armhole"
To cut something off completely.
We had to cut the project to the armhole.
informal"under the arm"
In the area of the armhole.
There is a stain under the arm.
neutralEasily Confused
Both relate to the arm area.
Armpit is anatomy; armhole is clothing.
My armpit hurts vs. My armhole is too tight.
They are connected.
Sleeve is the fabric covering the arm; armhole is the hole.
The sleeve is long vs. The armhole is tight.
Both are parts of a sleeve.
Cuff is at the wrist; armhole is at the shoulder.
Roll up the cuff vs. Fix the armhole.
Both are parts of a garment.
Bodice is the torso part; armhole is the opening.
The bodice is tight vs. The armhole is low.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + has + a + armhole
The shirt has a large armhole.
The + armhole + is + adjective
The armhole is too tight.
Verb + the + armhole
Measure the armhole carefully.
The + armhole + of + noun
The armhole of the jacket is torn.
Adjective + armhole + design
The deep armhole design is popular.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
5
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is a compound word without a hyphen.
One is the opening, the other is the tube.
Armpit is part of the body; armhole is part of the clothing.
Only use plural if talking about both sides.
While 'arm opening' is correct, 'armhole' is the standard term.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize your arm 'holing' into a shirt.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about how clothes fit.
Cultural Insight
Tailoring is a respected craft.
Grammar Shortcut
It works just like any other noun.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with armpit.
Did You Know?
Armscye is a great word for Scrabble.
Study Smart
Look at your own clothes to identify it.
Visual Aid
Draw a shirt and label the armhole.
Context Clues
If you hear 'tailor', think 'armhole'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
ARM in the HOLE.
Visual Association
Imagine a shirt with a giant hole where your arm goes.
Word Web
Challenge
Check the armholes of your shirt right now.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A hole for the arm.
Cultural Context
None, it is a purely anatomical and technical term.
Commonly used in fashion, retail, and sewing circles.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at a tailor shop
- adjust the armhole
- armhole measurement
- too tight
buying clothes
- check the armhole
- comfortable armhole
- well-fitted
learning to sew
- sew the armhole
- armscye curve
- pattern drafting
discussing fashion
- low-cut armhole
- silhouette
- fit and drape
Conversation Starters
"Do you find it hard to find shirts that fit well in the armhole?"
"Have you ever tried to sew your own clothes?"
"What makes a jacket comfortable for you?"
"Do you know what an armscye is?"
"Why do you think some clothes restrict movement?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a piece of clothing that fits you perfectly.
Write about a time you had to fix a torn piece of clothing.
Explain why the fit of an armhole matters for comfort.
If you were a tailor, what would you focus on most?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is a single compound word.
Armpit is body part; armhole is clothing part.
Yes, if they have sleeves.
It is understandable but not standard.
Yes, armscye is the technical term.
Measure around the curve where the sleeve attaches.
It is neutral and descriptive.
It determines how well a garment fits and moves.
Test Yourself
Put your arm in the ___.
The arm goes through the armhole.
What is an armhole?
It is the hole for the arm.
An armhole is part of the body.
It is part of a garment.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms to definitions.
The armhole is too tight.
The ___ was cut too deep, making the shirt uncomfortable.
Armhole fits the context of discomfort.
What is the technical name for an armhole?
Armscye is the professional term.
The armhole affects the garment's range of motion.
Correct fit is essential for movement.
The armhole geometry defines the silhouette.
The tailor carefully ___ the sleeve into the armhole.
Eased is the correct tailoring verb.
Score: /10
Summary
The armhole is the crucial structural opening in a shirt that determines both your comfort and your ability to move your arms freely.
- An armhole is the opening for the arm in a garment.
- It is essential for sleeve fit and arm movement.
- The technical term is armscye.
- It is a standard countable noun.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize your arm 'holing' into a shirt.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about how clothes fit.
Cultural Insight
Tailoring is a respected craft.
Grammar Shortcut
It works just like any other noun.
Example
The armhole on this tailored jacket is cut quite high to allow for better movement.
Related Content
More Clothing words
uniform
B2Describes something that is consistent in form, manner, or degree throughout. It implies that all parts of a whole are identical or that a process remains the same over time.
burnous
B2A long, loose outer garment with a hood, typically made of wool, worn especially by Arab and Berber people. It serves as both a traditional cultural attire and a functional piece of clothing for protection against harsh desert climates.
bra
B2A supportive undergarment worn by women to provide support and coverage for the breasts. While primarily used as a noun, in highly specialized academic contexts (physics), it refers to a specific vector notation, though this usage is rare for general language learners.
armband
C1A strip of fabric or material worn around the upper arm to signify a specific role, identity, or state of mourning. In modern contexts, it can also refer to a strap used to hold electronic devices like smartphones during physical activity.
blouse
B2A blouse is a loose-fitting upper garment that is typically worn by women or girls. It is often made of lightweight fabric such as silk or cotton and frequently features buttons, a collar, and decorative sleeves.
bootee
B2A bootee is a soft, short shoe, often knitted, designed for infants to keep their feet warm. It also refers to a protective, disposable shoe cover worn in sterile environments like laboratories or hospitals to prevent contamination.
helmet
A1A hard hat worn to protect the head from injury. It is commonly used while riding bicycles, motorcycles, or working in dangerous environments like construction sites.
bootlace
B2A long, narrow cord or strip of material passed through holes or around hooks to fasten a boot. It is designed to be tightened and tied to secure the footwear to the foot during movement.
breathable
B2Describes a material or fabric that allows air to pass through it easily, preventing moisture and heat from being trapped against the body. In a broader sense, it refers to air or an atmosphere that is safe and suitable for inhalation.
dressed
B1The state of wearing clothes on the body, often used to describe the style or appropriateness of one's attire. It indicates that a person is not naked and is prepared for a particular social or functional context.
