armed

word · lemma: arm

/ˈɑɹmd/
armd
/ˈɑːmd/
ahmd

Definition

Having a weapon or weapons. It is often used for people, groups, or forces carrying guns or other weapons, and can also describe actions taken with weapons involved.

Usage & Nuances

Most commonly used in news, police, military, and security contexts: 'armed robbery', 'armed guard', 'armed forces'. It usually suggests real danger, especially with guns. Don't confuse it with the verb phrase 'armed with', which can also mean 'equipped with' something non-violent, as in 'armed with information'.

Example Sentences

They told us not to go near the car because the suspect might be armed.

natural

The police said the man was armed.

basic

Two armed guards stood at the door.

basic

The robber was armed with a knife.

basic

It turned out the man wasn't armed, but everyone was scared at first.

natural

This was treated as an armed robbery, so the response was immediate.

natural