What does elbow mean?
An elbow is the hinge joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm, allowing the arm to bend, extend, and rotate. The word also describes anything with a comparable sharp bend — a section of pipe, a curve in a road, or the reinforced part of a sleeve that covers the joint. Used as a verb, to elbow means to nudge or push with the arm, most commonly in the expression "to elbow one's way through a crowd." The word appears in many vivid idioms: "elbow grease" for strenuous manual effort, "rubbing elbows" with someone for socializing with them, and "giving someone the elbow" for dismissing or rejecting them. Derived from Old English and related to the word "bow" in its sense of a bend, elbow is a concrete, everyday term whose figurative uses lend color to both spoken and written English.
The joint between the upper arm and the forearm where the arm bends; also, a sharp bend in a road, pipe, or similar structure.
"The plumber replaced the leaking elbow in the kitchen pipe."
The plumbing sense refers to an angled connector fitting, typically 90 degrees.
To push, jostle, or prod someone using the elbow, especially in order to move through a space or get attention.
"Reporters elbowed each other aside for a better view of the podium."
Standard regular plural; commonly used in phrases like "resting on his elbows" or "rubbing elbows."
"The toddler scraped both elbows during the fall."
"Elbow grease" isn't sold in stores — the phrase has been meaning hard physical effort since at least the 1600s.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of elbow
Elbow comes from Old English "elnboga," a compound of "ell" (forearm, related to Latin ulna) and "boga" (bow, meaning bend), literally "the bend of the forearm." It is thus a native Germanic word rather than a borrowing from Latin or French. Its literal anatomical sense has remained stable since Old English, while figurative and verbal senses developed later.
Related word forms
How elbow is actually used
As a verb, "elbow" often appears in the phrase "elbow one's way through," suggesting determined, sometimes slightly aggressive movement through a crowd. The verb can carry a mildly rude connotation of pushing without courtesy.
Easily confused with elbow
A bow is a curved weapon or a knot with loops, whereas an elbow is specifically the joint of the arm or a bend shaped like it.