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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  

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

On Saturday night, under the world-famous Wembley arch, five words rang out: "Punjabi Aa Gaye Wembley Oye!"

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

The lawbreakers were gathered this day on a cliff and a nearby arch, a crowd of around 50 young people — 14- to 20-year-olds, mostly males.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

They include the southern coastal city of Tyre, home to a Roman triumphal arch and a second-century hippodrome.

From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026

After more weddings the next day, singer Ally Evenson took a stage within earshot of the floral arch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Its ceiling and walls were a smoothly curved arch, its floor hard and flat, with a soft layer of carpet down the middle.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien

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

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

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 A Religious of the Ursuline Community

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

From Vittoria — Volume 2 by George Meredith

“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

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 Morris Jastrow

Fig. 11.ARCHES. 1Plain Arch. 2Forked Arch. 3Tented Arch.

From Finger Prints by Sir Francis Galton

Secondly, Ramsay has been influenced, I think, by his Alpine insects; but he is wrong in thinking that there is any necessary connection of tropics and large insects—videlicet—Galapagos Arch., under the equator.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Sir Francis Darwin

Summarized from Servian by Köhler, Arch. f. slav.

From The Grateful Dead The History of a Folk Story by Gordon Hall Gerould

The space features an “L.A.” letter installation and sculpted arches designed to create an immersive shopping experience.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

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

High-end party planner Charlotte Melia said "balloon arches" had grown in popularity, with many people inspired by parties held by influencers and celebrities.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 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

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

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

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

Samir arched his back and groaned with pain.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

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

The shrub has a cane growth habit, ideally with arching limbs from ground to flower-borne tips.

From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2024

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

She thought of the smaller places, stops on the underground, and remembered Auburn, a small town, with elm trees arching over its streets, and smooth lawns, and houses painted white.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Related Words

• arc
• archway