noun Common

arc

ahk

Arc (noun) means a curved line, especially part of the edge of a circle. Example: “The ball traced a wide arc across the sky.”

noun

A curved line, especially part of the edge of a circle.

"The ball traced a wide arc across the sky."

"The bridge's cables form a graceful arc."

A story's overall shape or progression, especially a character's emotional or moral development.

"The show gave its villain a surprisingly sympathetic character arc."

A glowing discharge of electricity jumping across a gap, as in welding.

"Sparks flew as the electric arc jumped between the terminals."

verb

To move or curve along a path shaped like an arc.

"The rocket arced over the launch pad and out to sea."

How to use arc

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA curved line or path — or, in storytelling, the shape a character's journey takes over time.

Common pairings

story arc character arc electric arc

Word forms

arced past tense, arcked past tense, arcs singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ball traced a wide _____ across the sky.

Etymology

From Latin arcus, "a bow or arch", the same root that gives us "arch" and "arrow".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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curve bow bend trajectory sweep crescent

Related words

line flight wind corner turning trend bow stroke

Rhymes for arc

marc narc

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Frequently asked questions

What does “arc” mean?

The word “arc” means a curved line, especially part of the edge of a circle. In plain terms, a curved line or path — or, in storytelling, the shape a character's journey takes over time.

How do you pronounce “arc”?

“Arc” is pronounced ahk (/ɑɹk/ in IPA).

How do you use “arc” in a sentence?

Here is “arc” used in a sentence: “The ball traced a wide arc across the sky.”

What part of speech is “arc”?

Depending on how it is used, “arc” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “arc” come from?

The word “arc” comes from Latin. From Latin arcus, "a bow or arch", the same root that gives us "arch" and "arrow".

Is “arc” a common word?

“Arc” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “arc” have?

“Arc” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a curved line, especially part of the edge of a circle.

What is the difference between 'arc' and 'arch'?

An 'arc' is a curved line, especially part of the edge of a circle, and it also describes a story's overall shape or a character's development. An 'arch' is a curved physical structure that spans an opening, such as a doorway or bridge, though the two words are related in the idea of a curve.

What is the difference between 'arc' and 'ark'?

These are homophones that sound alike but mean different things. An 'arc' is a curved line or a story's progression, while an 'ark' is a large boat, most famously Noah's ark; only 'arc' carries the meaning of a curve or narrative shape.

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Vocabulary lists that include arc:

3 letter words Words that end with C

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