noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

arch

ahch

Arch (noun) means a curved structure that spans an opening, typically supporting the weight above it. Example: “They walked through the stone arch into the courtyard.”

noun

A curved structure that spans an opening, typically supporting the weight above it.

"They walked through the stone arch into the courtyard."

"The bridge is held up by a single steel arch."

verb

To bend into a curved shape.

"The cat arched its back when the dog appeared."

adj

Deliberately playful, knowing, or mischievous, often in tone or expression.

"She gave an arch smile that suggested she knew more than she was saying."

Chief or foremost, used as a prefix in words like "archenemy" or "archbishop".

"He was cast as the hero's arch rival."

How to use arch

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

archer comparative, arched past tense, arches plural, arches plural, arches plural, arches singular, archest superlative

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They walked through the stone _____ into the courtyard.

Etymology

From Old French arche, a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus, "a bow, arc, or arch".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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archway curve bend sly wry impish

Related words

line wind knowing corner turning trend surrender curve

Rhymes for arch

march perch torch birch porch lurch merch church starch scorch

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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