arch
arch — noun
1. a curved part built over an open space in a wall, bridge, or similar structure s
a curved part built over an open space in a wall, bridge, or similar structure so that the sides carry what is above it
Workers repaired the stone arch above the old market gate.
stone arch over an opening
A single arch carries the bridge across the narrow stream.
arch as a supporting bridge part
Sunlight entered through a brick arch at the church door.
Engineers checked whether the tunnel arch could hold another rail line.
- stone arch
- brick arch
- arch bridge
- Roman arch
Grammar Patterns
a stone arch
an arch over an opening
the arch of a bridge
under a brick arch
Usage Note
Used for a part of a building or bridge that helps bear weight. Distinguish from sense 2, where the word is only about a curved appearance and may be decorative.
2. something with a rounded top like a bow, especially when it frames a space or is
something with a rounded top like a bow, especially when it frames a space or is made to look attractive
White balloons formed an arch at the school sports day entrance.
form an arch for decoration
The garden path ends under a rose arch beside the pond.
rose arch as an entrance frame
A rainbow made a bright arch across the hills after lunch.
The stage crew built a paper arch for the spring parade.
- balloon arch
- flower arch
- rainbow arch
- decorative arch
Grammar Patterns
form an arch
a flower arch
a balloon arch
an arch at the entrance
Usage Note
This sense does not require the thing to support weight. It is often used for arches made from flowers, balloons, or natural shapes such as a rainbow.
3. the raised curved area inside your foot between the heel and toes
the raised curved area inside your foot between the heel and toes
After the hike, the arch of Mia's foot began to ache.
the arch of the foot
These running shoes support the arch better than my old pair.
support the arch
The doctor checked both arches before fitting Leo's insoles.
Flat sandals can leave the arch sore by evening.
- high arch
- fallen arches
- arch support
- pain in the arch
- instep
not exact; it often refers to the upper middle part of the foot.
- foot curve
an explanatory phrase rather than a fixed anatomical term.
Grammar Patterns
the arch of the foot
support the arch
high arches
fallen arches
Usage Note
Usually appears with words about feet, shoes, support, pain, or movement. In plural, arches often means the curved parts of both feet together.
Common Mistakes
4. a curved part in the body, such as the bend of an eyebrow or a blood vessel near
a curved part in the body, such as the bend of an eyebrow or a blood vessel near the heart
The makeup artist darkened the arch of Nora's eyebrow.
the arch of an eyebrow
On the scan, the doctor pointed to the arch of the main artery.
medical use: curved body structure
The baby's eyebrow formed a soft arch when she looked surprised.
The helmet protected the bony arch above his left eye.
- arch of the eyebrow
- aortic arch
- bony arch
- arch of the artery
Grammar Patterns
the arch of an eyebrow
the arch of an artery
a bony arch
Usage Note
Often appears in 'the arch of ...' when naming a specific body structure. Distinguish from sense 3, which is limited to the foot.
arch — verb
1. to bend, or to make something bend, into a high curved shape
to bend, or to make something bend, into a high curved shape
The cat arched its back when the dog ran closer.
arch + body part
A spray of water arched over the children in the park.
intransitive: arch over
Lena arched her eyebrows at the strange message from Paul.
arch + eyebrows
Smoke arched across the dark ceiling after the pan caught fire.
- arch your back
- arch your eyebrows
- arch over the road
- arch across the sky
- straighten
to make the curve disappear.
- flatten
to press something down so it is no longer raised.
Grammar Patterns
arch your back
arch your eyebrows
arch over something
something arches across the sky
Usage Note
Common with body parts when someone reacts physically, and with things like water, smoke, or branches when the curve happens by itself. Both transitive and intransitive use are natural.
Common Mistakes
arch — adjective
1. showing amused cleverness in a teasing way, often with a slight feeling of being
showing amused cleverness in a teasing way, often with a slight feeling of being above other people
Olivia gave me an arch smile when I misread the sign.
arch smile
Julian's arch reply made the room laugh, but Ella rolled her eyes.
arch reply with teasing tone
The actress spoke in an arch tone during the interview.
arch tone
Hiro sounded arch whenever he corrected younger players.
- arch smile
- arch tone
- arch remark
- arch expression
- sincere
open and genuine, without playful mockery.
- straightforward
plain and direct, without extra irony.
Grammar Patterns
an arch smile
an arch tone
an arch remark
sound arch
Usage Note
Most often appears before nouns like smile, voice, look, or remark. It suggests wit mixed with playful mockery, and often feels literary rather than everyday.
arch — prefix
1. added to a noun to mean the chief, leading, or highest person or thing of that k
added to a noun to mean the chief, leading, or highest person or thing of that kind
The archbishop greeted school children outside the cathedral after mass.
arch- in a high religious title
In the painting, an archangel stands above the sleeping shepherd.
arch- meaning highest or chief
The archduke visited the port before the winter trade fair.
The archduchess rode through town in a gold carriage.
- archbishop
- archangel
- archduke
- archduchess
- junior
lower in rank or position.
- subordinate
under the authority of someone higher.
Grammar Patterns
arch- + title
archbishop
archangel
archduke
Usage Note
Usually appears in long-established words and is often written as one word, such as archbishop or archduke. Distinguish from sense 2, which usually names the strongest example of a type, often a bad one.
Common Mistakes
2. added to a noun to mean the most typical, powerful, or notorious example of that
added to a noun to mean the most typical, powerful, or notorious example of that type, especially a bad one
To Mia, Ben is the arch-enemy who always beats him at chess.
arch- + noun for the main opponent
The paper called him an arch-liar after the fake hospital photos.
arch- before a negative noun
In the play, Lady Brant is the arch-villain behind every crime.
Nora remained Serena's arch-rival through four city finals.
- arch-enemy
- arch-rival
- arch-villain
- arch-liar
Grammar Patterns
arch- + noun
arch-enemy
arch-rival
arch-villain
Usage Note
Often written with a hyphen before common nouns, as in arch-enemy or arch-rival. Unlike sense 1, this use usually does not name an official title; it marks someone or something as the main or worst example.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- archedadjectiveC1
- archlyadverbC2
- archnessnounC2
- archwaynounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
For noun sense 1, arch is the best word when a curved part of a structure stands over an opening and helps support what is above it. Arc and curve mainly describe shape, so they do not automatically suggest a building function. Archway is close, but it often names the passage or entrance rather than the supporting form itself. Vault is more technical and usually refers to a roof or ceiling made from one or more arches. A bridge can have a stone arch, but a rainbow is better called an arc or a curve. You walk through an archway, but engineers inspect an arch.
Etymology
Modern English arch brings together two historical lines. The noun and verb go back to Latin arcus, meaning a bow or curved shape, which came into English through French. The adjective and prefix meaning 'chief' or 'most important' come from Greek arkhos and arkhi-, words linked with rule and leadership. That is why arch can refer either to a curve in shape or to the highest or strongest example of something.