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  • arch
    arch
    noun
  • arch-
    arch-
    a combining form that represents the outcome of archi- in words borrowed through Latin from Greek in the Old English period; it subsequently became a productive form added to nouns of any origin, which thus denote individuals or institutions directing or having authority over others of their class (archbishop; archdiocese; archpriest ). More recently, arch-1 has developed the senses “principal” (archenemy; archrival ) or “prototypical” and thus exemplary or extreme (archconservative ); nouns so formed are almost always pejorative.
  • -arch
    -arch
    a combining form meaning “chief, leader, ruler,” used in the formation of compound words.
  • arch.
    arch.
    abbreviation
    archaic.
  • Arch.
    Arch.
    abbreviation
    Archbishop.
Synonyms

arch

1 American  
[ahrch] / ɑrtʃ /

noun

  1. Architecture.

    1. a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening, consisting of a number of wedgelike stones, bricks, or the like, set with the narrower side toward the opening in such a way that forces on the arch are transmitted as vertical or oblique stresses on either side of the opening.

    2. an upwardly curved construction, as of steel or timber functioning in the manner of a masonry arch.

    3. a doorway, gateway, etc., having a curved head; an archway.

    4. the curved head of an opening, as a doorway.

  2. any overhead curvature resembling an arch.

  3. something bowed or curved; any bowlike part.

    the arch of the foot.

  4. a device inserted in or built into shoes for supporting the arch of the foot.

  5. a dam construction having the form of a barrel vault running vertically with its convex face toward the impounded water.

  6. Glassmaking.

    1. a chamber or opening in a glassmaking furnace.

    2. pot arch.


verb (used with object)

arches, present (3rd person singular) arched, past participle, past arching present participle
  1. to cover with a vault, or span with an arch.

    the rude bridge that arched the flood.

  2. to throw or make into the shape of an arch or vault; curve.

    The horse arched its neck.

verb (used without object)

arches, present (3rd person singular) arched, past participle, past arching present participle
  1. to form an arch.

    elms arching over the road.

  2. Nautical. hog.

arch 2 American  
[ahrch] / ɑrtʃ /

adjective

  1. playfully roguish or mischievous.

    an arch smile.

  2. cunning; crafty; sly.


noun

  1. Obsolete. a person who is preeminent; a chief.

arch- 3 American  
  1. a combining form that represents the outcome of archi- in words borrowed through Latin from Greek in the Old English period; it subsequently became a productive form added to nouns of any origin, which thus denote individuals or institutions directing or having authority over others of their class (archbishop; archdiocese; archpriest ). More recently, arch-1 has developed the senses “principal” (archenemy; archrival ) or “prototypical” and thus exemplary or extreme (archconservative ); nouns so formed are almost always pejorative.


arch- 4 American  
  1. variant of archi- before a vowel.

    archangel; archenteron.


-arch 5 American  
  1. a combining form meaning “chief, leader, ruler,” used in the formation of compound words.

    monarch; matriarch; heresiarch.


arch. 6 American  

abbreviation

  1. archaic.

  2. archaism.

  3. archery.

  4. archipelago.

  5. architect.

  6. architectural.

  7. architecture.

  8. archive; archives.


Arch. 7 American  

abbreviation

  1. Archbishop.


arch- 1 British  

combining form

  1. chief; principal; of highest rank

    archangel

    archbishop

    archduke

  2. eminent above all others of the same kind; extreme

    archenemy

    archfiend

    archfool

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

arch 2 British  
/ ɑːtʃ /

noun

  1. a curved structure, normally in the vertical plane, that spans an opening

  2. Also called: archway.  a structure in the form of an arch that serves as a gateway

  3. something curved like an arch

    1. any of various parts or structures of the body having a curved or archlike outline, such as the transverse portion of the aorta ( arch of the aorta ) or the raised bony vault formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones ( arch of the foot )

    2. one of the basic patterns of the human fingerprint, formed by several curved ridges one above the other Compare loop 1 whorl

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to span (an opening) with an arch

  2. to form or cause to form an arch or a curve resembling that of an arch

    the cat arched its back

  3. (tr) to span or extend over

    the bridge arched the flooded stream

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
arch. 3 British  

abbreviation

  1. archaic

  2. archaism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

-arch 4 British  

combining form

  1. leader; ruler; chief

    patriarch

    monarch

    heresiarch

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

arch 5 British  
/ ɑːtʃ /

adjective

  1. (prenominal) chief; principal; leading

    his arch rival

  2. (prenominal) very experienced; expert

    an arch criminal

  3. knowing or superior

  4. playfully or affectedly roguish or mischievous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

arch Cultural  
  1. In architecture, a curved or pointed opening that spans a doorway, window, or other space.


Usage

What does -arch mean? The combining form -arch is used like a suffix meaning “chief, leader, or ruler.” It is often used in technical terms, especially in sociology. The form -arch comes from Greek árchos, meaning “leader,” and shares a root with the combining form archi-, meaning "first, principal." Discover why at our entry for archi-. What are variants of -arch?While -arch doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -archy, as in matriarchy. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use -archy article.

Discover More

The form of arch used in building often serves to distinguish styles of architecture from one another. For example, Romanesque architecture usually employs a round arch, and Gothic architecture, a pointed arch.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of arch1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English arch(e), from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin arca (unrecorded), feminine variant of Latin arcus arc

Origin of arch2

First recorded in 1680–90; independent use of arch- 1

Origin of arch-3

Middle English; Old English arce-, ærce-, erce- (> Old Norse erki- ) < Latin archi- < Greek ( see archi-); but Dutch aarts-, Middle Low German erse-, Middle High German, German Erz- < Medieval Latin arci-, and Gothic ark- directly < Greek. Cf. archangel

Origin of -arch5

< Greek -archos or -archēs, as comb. forms of árchos leader; cf. archi-

Explanation

An arch is a shape that resembles an upside down "U." You may find this shape in a carefully tweezed eyebrow or in the famous golden pair that make you hunger for a Big Mac. In architecture, an arch is an opening that is often found supporting the weight of a something above it — like a bridge or a wall. In downtown St. Louis, you can visit the Gateway Arch — a freestanding catenary arch that is 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide. As a verb, arch means to make an arch-like shape. "She stretched her back by arching it into a backbend." As an adjective, arch can describe something mischievous or sly: "He teased his friend with an arch comment about his shyness around girls."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing arch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A poorly constructed plywood-and-vinyl version of the 166-foot stone arch he has proposed building as a monument to himself was hastily erected — and immediately started falling apart.

From Salon Jul. 3, 2026

But it is not merely a triumphal arch.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 27, 2026

The projects include a giant White House ballroom and a triumphal arch -- plus the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial, which is currently beset by algae and peeling paint after a multi-million-dollar upgrade.

From Barron's Jun. 23, 2026

The couple hosted a "Chosen Shower" with cake, decorations and balloon arch – with Varley painting a living room wall mural of "Preston Elijah", the name they chose to give him.

From BBC Jun. 18, 2026

Her arms are curved in a graceful arch.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Holmes and sidekick Dr. John Watson match wits with arch- criminal Moriarty, who plots to create an arms race among European powers.

From BusinessWeek Jan. 1, 2012

Mark Sullivan, good Hoover friend and Republican journalist for the arch- Republican New York Herald Tribune, not only announced the end of Depression but said that Recovery was reaching its "second stage."

From Time Magazine Archive

"I should like so much to get into the machine," said the arch- hypocrite demurely.

From The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Tales With Condensed Novels, Spanish and American Legends, and Earlier Papers by Harte, Bret

These secret agents reported that powerful influences were at work to bring about the escape of this arch- criminal.

From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas

The establishment of the arch- confraternity which bears her name, has greatly contributed to the same end.

From The Life of the Venerable Mother Mary of the Incarnation by Religious of the Ursuline Community, A

“We’re all very excited for Arch. He seems to be in a really good spot physically, mentally,” manager Kevin Cash said.

From Seattle Times Feb. 22, 2021

Gentile comes de Campilio, who in 1215 paid homage for his property to the commune of Orvieto: Le antiche cronache di Orvieto, Arch. stor. ital., 5th series.,

From Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Houghton, Louise Seymour

Many papers on influence of salts on development in Arch. f.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

Arch. xii. 383-393; see also Bonavia, "The Sacred Trees of the Assyrian Monuments," Babylonian and Oriental Record, vols. iii, iv, whose conclusions, however, are not always acceptable.

From The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria by Jastrow, Morris

The phrase "A Tantony Pig" is also explained, for which see further Halliwell's Dict. of Arch. and Prov.

From Notes and Queries, Number 85, June 14, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various

This detour is not a clever design, but a historical leftover from our fish-like ancestors when the nerve took a straightforward path around the gill arches.

From Science Daily Jul. 11, 2026

Beyond the stage, and framed perfectly by those two screens, sit the glowing, cheesy arches where the actual fights will take place.

From Slate Jun. 16, 2026

Workers were seen assembling domed arches and a staging area, which based on online renderings, will form an octagon-shaped ring surrounded by a wire-mesh fence and thousands of temporary seats.

From BBC May 27, 2026

The CX-50’s bodywork is also a bit wider between the wheel arches, contributing to the visually planted and more powerful stance.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 27, 2026

The hedge is destroyed, the rails of the light railway are torn up and rise stiffly in the air in great arches.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

Metres away, other photographers yelled instructions to ornately dressed young women who held their fingers in victory signs and arched their backs for the camera.

From Barron's Jul. 13, 2026

Then the dusty elephant with those arched and dome-like toenails that is standing on my breastbone is lighter.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 21, 2026

The old factory at 120 Jefferson Northeast, a sand-colored brick building with its distinctive arched entryway, had gone out of business, and quickly.

From Slate Mar. 25, 2026

A large hole was smashed through the glass of a large, arched window.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 1, 2026

I watched hopefully as Togbe put his hands on his waist and arched his body backward.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

A map of the routes with arrows arching across the country gave the operation its arachnid moniker.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 10, 2025

Tuesday’s home run, hit on an arching line to the left-center-field bullpen, served as a long-awaited first example.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 10, 2025

Rainmaker Hall is the central meeting space, created inside an old hangar that was once a sweatshop with high, arching beams.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 26, 2023

Pruning stems to the ground every five years or so in early spring encourages strong upright canes and maintains the plant’s arching rounded form.

From Seattle Times Jul. 15, 2023

“Did you rescue Tater from that dangerous situation?” asked Nala, arching an eyebrow.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

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