Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

arm's length

[ahrmz-lengkth, -length] / ˈɑrmzˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ /
NOUN
at a distance to exclude intimacy
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The two planets will appear to be about the same distance in the sky as the width of your little finger held out at arm's length.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Roosevelt disliked Woodruff and kept him at arm’s length, although he did allow Pinchot to hire Woodruff at the Agriculture Department.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

The Moon will appear to the astronauts "about the size of a basketball held at arm's length," Noah Petro, head of NASA's planetary geology lab, told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Disney isn’t the only partner OpenAI is now holding at a robotic arm’s length.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

The big man was within arm’s length now but Razi couldn’t go any faster.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook




Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "arm's length" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com