What does palm mean?
The word “palm” has several related but distinct uses. Most commonly, it means the broad inner surface of the hand, as in “the palm of the hand,” though it can also refer to the hand itself or, figuratively, to someone's power or favor. In botany, a palm is a tree or shrub with a tall, usually unbranched trunk and large leaves, while the singular can also mean one of those leaves. As a verb, “palm” means to hide something in the hand so that it cannot be seen; the related expression “palm off” means to misrepresent something or deceive someone into accepting it as genuine. The word is useful because it connects the everyday physical world of the hand with older figurative and commercial senses, including concealment, influence, bribery, and deception.
The broad, fleshy inner surface of the hand between the wrist and the fingers; by extension, the hand itself.
"The insect was trapped in the palm of her hand."
The anatomical sense is common and neutral. In idioms, “palm” can also mean favor, influence, or control.
A tree or shrub of the palm family, especially one with a tall trunk and large leaves; by extension, one of its leaves or fronds.
"The island was lined with coconut palms."
When referring to a tree or its leaves, the word is commonly used with modifiers such as “date,” “coconut,” “palm oil,” and “palm leaf.”
To conceal something in the hand so that it cannot be seen, or to pass something off deceptively as genuine.
"The seller tried to palm off a fake as the original."
The standalone verb is relatively uncommon; “palm off” is the usual modern expression.
The plural is used for multiple hands or hand surfaces, multiple palm trees, and multiple palm leaves or fronds.
"The children sat beneath the palms, eating coconuts."
The word “palm” records one of humanity’s oldest natural counting tools: the hand, whose broad inner surface could carry objects, gifts, and even hidden messages.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does palm come from?
The English noun comes from Old English palm, the hand or the inner surface of the hand, and ultimately from Latin palma, meaning “palm of the hand” and also “palm tree.” The ultimate origin of the Latin word is uncertain, although it may be related to terms for the flat of the hand or to a palm branch. The verb developed from the noun's sense of concealing something in the closed hand, and “palm off” later acquired the meaning of passing something off fraudulently.
Related word forms
How palm is actually used
The noun is formal or neutral in its anatomical sense, while “palm” can sound figurative when it means a hand or a means of influence. The verb “palm” is uncommon on its own and is usually encountered in the phrasal verb “palm off,” meaning to deceive someone by misrepresenting something. In business and political contexts, “have someone in the palm of your hand” means to have complete control over them.
Easily confused with palm
Palmistry is the practice of interpreting character or fortune from the lines and markings of a person's palm, whereas a palm itself is simply the inner surface of the hand or a member of the palm family.