noun
Uncommon
arcade
ah-KAYD
Arcade (noun) means a covered passage or row of shops, often lined with arches, or a venue with coin-operated games. Example: “We spent our Saturday afternoon in the video game arcade.”
noun
1
A covered passage or row of shops, often lined with arches, or a venue with coin-operated games.
"We spent our Saturday afternoon in the video game arcade."
"The Victorian shopping arcade had a glass roof running its whole length."
"Shoppers sheltered from the rain under the old arcade by the market square."
How to use arcade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA covered walkway of shops, or a place full of coin-operated games.
Common pairings
video arcade
shopping arcade
arcade game
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- arcades
- Past tense
- arcaded
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We spent our Saturday afternoon in the video game _____.
Etymology
From French arcade, from Italian arcata, "the arch of a bridge", ultimately from Latin arcus, "an arc" — not related to "Arcadia".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for arcade
See all rhymes for arcade →Frequently asked questions
What does “arcade” mean?
The word “arcade” means a covered passage or row of shops, often lined with arches, or a venue with coin-operated games. In plain terms, a covered walkway of shops, or a place full of coin-operated games.
How do you pronounce “arcade”?
“Arcade” is pronounced ah-KAYD (/ɑɹˈkeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “arcade” in a sentence?
Here is “arcade” used in a sentence: “We spent our Saturday afternoon in the video game arcade.”
What part of speech is “arcade”?
“Arcade” is a noun.
Where does the word “arcade” come from?
The word “arcade” comes from Latin. From French arcade, from Italian arcata, "the arch of a bridge", ultimately from Latin arcus, "an arc" — not related to "Arcadia".
Is “arcade” a common word?
“Arcade” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between an arcade and a mall?
An arcade traditionally refers to a covered passage or row of shops, often lined with arches, and is typically smaller and more architecturally distinct than a mall. In modern usage, arcade more commonly refers to a venue filled with coin-operated games, which is a different concept entirely from either a shopping arcade or a mall.
Why is a video game venue called an arcade?
The term carried over from the older meaning of arcade as a covered walkway or gallery, since early coin-operated games were often installed in such passages and shopping galleries. Over time, "arcade" became strongly associated with the games themselves rather than the architectural space.
Can arcade refer to an architectural feature?
Yes, in architecture an arcade describes a covered passage or walkway lined with a series of arches, often found in older shopping streets or building facades. This is the original sense of the word, predating its use for game venues.
