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• arch
  arch
• 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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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arch- ⁴ American  

1. variant of archi- before a vowel.

   archangel; archenteron.

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-arch ⁵ American  

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

   monarch; matriarch; heresiarch.

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arch. ⁶ American  

abbreviation

1. archaic.

2. archaism.

3. archery.

4. archipelago.

5. architect.

6. architectural.

7. architecture.

8. archive; archives.

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Arch. ⁷ American  

abbreviation

1. Archbishop.

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arch ¹ 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

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arch- ² 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

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arch. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. archaic

2. archaism

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-arch ⁴ British  

combining form

1. leader; ruler; chief

   patriarch

   monarch

   heresiarch

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arch ⁵ 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

4. 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

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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

arch Cultural  

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

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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

• archness
  noun
• archly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• arching
  present
• arched
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• arch
  simple
• arches
  simple
• have arched
  perfect
• has arched
  perfect
• am arching
  progressive
• are arching
  progressive
• is arching
  progressive
• have been arching
  perfect progressive
• has been arching
  perfect progressive

Past

• arched
  simple
• had arched
  perfect
• was arching
  progressive
• were arching
  progressive
• had been arching
  perfect progressive

Future

• will arch
  simple
• will have arched
  perfect
• will be arching
  progressive
• will have been arching
  perfect progressive

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arch arch- Arch. arches arched arching

They include renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, work on public parks and plans to construct a gigantic arch.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

The authority said a section would also remain in Whitby, where it will be displayed at Whitby Museum alongside bones from the original arch.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

In June, thousands came to Tunkhannock Viaduct in Pennsylvania to see it traverse the concrete arch bridge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

A carved stone bull’s head sat high above the center arch, gazing down at the stream of humanity that passed below it.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

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

There should be extradition treaties all over the world to bring this arch- conspirator to justice.

From Vittoria — Volume 2 by George Meredith

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 Edward Lucas White

The lanccolate windows, the time-eaten arch- stones and chamfers, the orientation of the axis, the misty chestnut work of the rafters, referred to no exploded fortifying art or worn-out religious creed.

From Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

“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

On the same day Arch. was arrested and put in jail.

From The Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 1: 1832-1843 by Abraham Lincoln

For numerous gratuitous loans of parish money, see the Mere Acc'ts, Wilts Arch. and Nat.

From The Elizabethan Parish in its Ecclesiastical and Financial Aspects by Sedley Lynch Ware

Four other reliefs, reported found near Malatia and published by J. Garstang in Annals Arch. and Anthrop.,

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

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 Louise Seymour Houghton

Still, the thick pillars and huge arches remain fully visible at eye level, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Wallace Neff favored setting arches within arches, as seen in this view looking from the entry to the dining room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Inside the monastery, AFP journalists saw cracked arches and partially collapsed stone walls, while the monks' living quarters remained intact.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

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

She dyed her hair black and this intensified her already severe features, especially her eyebrows, which she smeared on each morning in thick, inky arches.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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

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

Neoclassical busts are cast in sand, marble and bronze and carved through with winding stairs, arched doors and regal columns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

The message came with a photo of Donaldson carrying his bride under an arched walkway, plus a few pics from along their happy courtship.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026

The dragon hissed again, then arched its back, stretching its leathery red wings into the air.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

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

Early risers on California’s Central Coast and parts south may be treated to a brilliant streak of light arching across the sky Thursday morning, followed by a sonic boom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2024

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

The museum, a low-slung 450,000-square-foot building, is flanked by a river and a meadow; its arching roofed is planted with grasses.

From New York Times ● Sep. 18, 2023

He was ideal for a show like this, which made good use of his smirky grin and arching, Did-I-really-hear- you-say-that? eyebrows.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• arc
• archway