Arch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective abbreviation /ˈärch/

Meaning & Definition of Arch

Arch (noun)

  1. a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening)
  2. something resembling an arch in form or function; especially, either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it
  3. something that has a curved shape like an arch

Arch (verb)

  1. to cover or provide with an arch
  2. to form into an arch
  3. to form an arch

Arch (adjective)

  1. principal, chief
  2. mischievous, saucy
  3. marked by a deliberate and often forced playfulness, irony, or impudence

Arch (abbreviation)

  1. archaic
  2. archery
  3. architect; architectural; architecture
  4. Archbishop

Arch (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. coming before all others in importance

    "since the start of her acting career her parents have steadfastly remained her arch supporters"

    similar: big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, foremost, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one, numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign, supreme
    related: distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior, high-level, senior, top, important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant, incomparable, matchless, unequaled, unparalleled, unsurpassed, celebrated, famed, famous, renowned
    opposite: last, least
    near: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant, collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

  2. displaying or marked by rude boldness

    "was so arch as to ask him outright if he was wearing a toupee"

    similar: audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, nervy, sassy, saucy, wise
    related: assertive, forward, obtrusive, defiant, disrespectful, shameless, unabashed, unblushing, bluff, blunt, curt, cute, facetious, flip, flippant, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, lippy, mouthy
    opposite: meek, mousy, retiring, shy, timid
    near: demure, humble, modest, courteous, genteel, mannerly, polite, proper, deferential, respectful, abashed, ashamed, blushing, embarrassed, shamefaced, gentle, mild, inconspicuous, unobtrusive

  3. tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness

    "the arch look on the girl's face betrayed her as the one who had tricked the babysitter into believing that the house was haunted"

    similar: devilish, elvish, espiègle, impish, knavish, leprechaunish, mischievous, pixie, pixieish, prankish, puckish, rascally, roguish, scampish, sly, tricksy, waggish, wicked
    related: antic, coltish, coy, frisky, frolicsome, kittenish, playful, sportful, sportive, gay, happy, lighthearted, whimsical, energetic, lively, spirited, sprightly, artful, crafty, cunning, trickish, tricky, wily, misbehaving, naughty, troublemaking, pestering, riling, teasing
    near: grave, grim, sedate, sober, solemn, staid, stern

Arch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that curves or is curved

    "the limestone arch is a natural formation that is the product of many years of erosion"

    similar: angle, arc, bend, bow, crook, curvature, curve, inflection, turn, wind
    related: kink, warp, circle, ring, ringlet, round, coil, curl, curlicue, buckle, convolution, flexure, fold, loop, spiral, swirl, twist, winding, incurvature, reflection, decline, inclination, incline, slope, corner, turnoff, dogleg, hairpin

Arch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause to turn away from a straight line

    "the cat arched her back whenever she was stroked"

    similar: bend, bow, crook, curve, hook, swerve
    related: arc, round, incurvate, incurve, inflect, reflect, deflect, divert, entwine, kink, swirl, turn, twine, twist, veer, warp, coil, curl, enroll, loop, spiral, dent, dimple, meander, wave, weave, wind, decline, incline, slope
    opposite: straighten, unbend, uncurl

  2. to turn away from a straight line or course

    "the path gradually arches off into the woods"

    similar: arc, bend, bow, crook, curve, fall off, hook, round, sweep, swerve, trend, wheel
    related: circle, coil, curlicue, curl, loop, spiral, turn, twist, wind, deviate, veer
    opposite: straighten

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Arch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Arch:

big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, foremost, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one, numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign, supreme, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Arch

Words with the opposite meaning of Arch:

last, least, meek, mousy, retiring, shy, timid, straighten, unbend, uncurl

Related Words for Arch

distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior, high-level, senior, top, important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant, incomparable, matchless, unequaled, unparalleled, unsurpassed, celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms of Arch

inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant, collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary, demure, humble, modest, courteous, genteel, mannerly, polite, proper, deferential, respectful, abashed, ashamed, blushing, embarrassed, shamefaced, gentle

Word Forms of Arch

Inflections: arched, arching, arches

Derived words: archness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Arch

Middle English arche, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *arca, from Latin arcus arrow

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Arch

arch-, -arch, archi-

Frequently Asked Questions about Arch

What does "Arch" mean?

"Arch" means a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening). As an a noun, a verb, an adjective and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening). It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Arch"?

Other words for "Arch" include big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first and foremost. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Arch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Arch"?

There are 208 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Arch". Common alternatives include big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, foremost, grand and great.

What is the opposite of "Arch"?

Antonyms of "Arch" include last, least, meek, mousy, retiring, shy, timid and straighten. Near antonyms include inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant and minor.

How do you use "Arch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Arch" in a sentence: "since the start of her acting career her parents have steadfastly remained her arch supporters"; "was so arch as to ask him outright if he was wearing a toupee"; "the arch look on the girl's face betrayed her as the one who had tricked the babysitter into believing that the house was haunted".

Is "Arch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Arch" can be used as a noun, a verb, an adjective and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Arch"?

"Arch" is pronounced /ˈärch/.

What is the origin of the word "Arch"?

"Arch" comes from Middle English arche, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *arca, from Latin arcus arrow. First known use: 13th century.