arch
ahch
Arch (noun) means a curved structure that spans an opening, typically supporting the weight above it. Example: “Rain dripped from the old brick arch above the station entrance.”
noun
1
A curved structure that spans an opening, typically supporting the weight above it.
"Rain dripped from the old brick arch above the station entrance."
"They walked through the stone arch into the courtyard."
"The bridge is held up by a single steel arch."
verb
1
To bend into a curved shape.
"The gymnast arched her body backwards to form a perfect curve."
"Wind made the tall branches arch over the narrow lane."
"The cat arched its back when the dog appeared."
adj
1
Deliberately playful, knowing, or mischievous, often in tone or expression.
"He raised one eyebrow and gave his friend an arch look."
""Oh, I'm sure that's all it was," she said in an arch tone."
"She gave an arch smile that suggested she knew more than she was saying."
2
Chief or foremost, used as a prefix in words like "archenemy" or "archbishop".
"The detective finally caught up with his arch enemy in the old warehouse."
"In the comic, the villain is the hero's arch nemesis."
"He was cast as the hero's arch rival."
How to use arch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA curved structural shape, the act of curving something, or (as an adjective) knowingly playful or foremost.
Common pairings
stone arch
arch enemy
arch smile
arch one's back
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Word forms
- Plural
- arches
- Third person singular
- arches
- Past tense
- arched
- Comparative
- archer
- Superlative
- archest
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Rain dripped from the old brick _____ above the station entrance.
Etymology
From Old French arche, a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus, "a bow, arc, or arch".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for arch
See all rhymes for arch →Frequently asked questions
What does “arch” mean?
The word “arch” means a curved structure that spans an opening, typically supporting the weight above it. In plain terms, a curved structural shape, the act of curving something, or (as an adjective) knowingly playful or foremost.
How do you pronounce “arch”?
“Arch” is pronounced ahch (/ɑɹt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “arch” in a sentence?
Here is “arch” used in a sentence: “They walked through the stone arch into the courtyard.”
What part of speech is “arch”?
Depending on how it is used, “arch” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “arch” come from?
The word “arch” comes from Latin. From Old French arche, a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus, "a bow, arc, or arch".
Is “arch” a common word?
“Arch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “arch” have?
“Arch” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a curved structure that spans an opening, typically supporting the weight above it.
What is the difference between arch and arc?
An arc is any curved line or path, such as part of a circle, while an arch is a curved structure that spans an opening and typically supports the weight above it. A thrown ball traces an arc; a bridge stands on arches.
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