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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.

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  

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 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

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. 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 /

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 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

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

Its form is that of the catenary curve, the most perfect shape for an arch, and the only one that requires no buttressing from the side.

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

Cluny mentally estimated the walls to be of immense thickness as he and Redtooth, ducking their heads, emerged from the tunnel-like arch into the Abbey grounds, where Constance and Matthias were waiting in the sunlight.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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

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 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 Hardy, Thomas

She never uttered a word of reproach against any one, except against Trochu, whom she called an arch- traitor.

From In the Courts of Memory, 1858 1875; from Contemporary Letters by Hegermann-Lindencrone, L. de (Lillie de)

“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

As to the pyramids, showing a very high grade of culture already reached under the earliest dynasties, see Lubke, Gesch. der Arch., book i.

From History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom by White, Andrew Dickson

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

Twelve flags on the sides nod to the “12th Man” fan base; one is a secret button — push it and the arches pop out to reveal the words “World Champions.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

Construction has started, with workers assembling domed arches over a staging area which will become the octagon.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

The ceiling arches in jutting curves and slopes.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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

From the outside, the 1922 Normandy-style house Poer shares with his husband, Beau Quillian, looks traditional and calm, with steep-pitched roofs and arched windows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

I also had one of those groovy chrome arched floor lamps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 10, 2026

He arched one of those perfectly formed eyebrows.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

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

Holley’s relatives said they’re still haunted by that over arching question even as they expressed gratitude for the guilty verdict.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 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

Most of the homes on the east side of the canyon had grand driveways with arching iron gates.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

• arc
• archway