armed
- 01 B1 Intermediate
carrying or using weapons, especially guns.
equipped with weaponry, typically firearms; often used to describe military or criminal contexts.
Simple“The bank was robbed by two armed men wearing masks.”
In context“The security detail remained armed throughout the diplomatic summit, maintaining a visible presence at every entrance to the compound.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
having the information or tools you need to do something well.
furnished with necessary information, data, or resources to achieve a specific purpose.
Simple“Armed with the right facts, she was able to win the argument easily.”
In context“Armed with a comprehensive market analysis, the CEO felt confident enough to propose a significant expansion into the European sector.”
Antonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
describes a device or machine that is turned on and ready to work.
describes a mechanism, such as an alarm or explosive, that has been activated or made ready for immediate operation.
Simple“The security alarm is now armed and will go off if the door opens.”
In context“The technician confirmed that the safety protocols were bypassed and the device was fully armed for the pressure test.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
having sharp parts like thorns or prickles.
possessing protective structures such as thorns, spines, or prickles.
Simple“Be careful when pruning the roses because the stems are heavily armed.”
In context“The species is easily identified by its armed petioles, which serve as a primary defense mechanism against local herbivores.”
Usage armed forces · armed groups · armed conflict
“Niger has long been the target of attacks by armed groups, including jihadis linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.”
“Malian army says the soldiers were held prisoner by Tuareg and al-Qaeda-linked armed groups in the northern region.”
From arm (“to equip with a weapon”) + -ed.
From arm (“the upper limb of the body”) + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.