arc
gb/ˈɑɹk/ us/ˈɑɹk/
B1
English
~ 5400
ív, történetív, cselekményív, karakterív, pályaív, ível, ívben halad, elektromos ív, villamos ív, körív
NOUN
B1
1
ív
B1
Usage pattern:
an arc of [something]; [something] moves in an arc
The ball rose in a high arc over the goalkeeper.
A labda magas ívben szállt át a kapus fölött.
The bird's wings traced a perfect arc across the sky.
A madár szárnyai tökéletes ívet írtak le az égen.
A rainbow formed a bright arc above the mountains.
The knife moved in a slow arc as she chopped the herbs.
Learner examples
The ball flew in an arc across the field.
A labda ívben repült át a pálya fölött.
We looked at the bright arc of the rainbow.
A szivárvány ragyogó ívét néztük.
The dancer moved her arm in a smooth arc.
The plane made a wide arc in the sky.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "arc" with "arch" in spelling and pronunciation. "Arc" is usually /ɑːrk/ and refers to a curve, while "arch" (/ɑːrtʃ/) is a curved structure like a doorway.
Meaning
a curved line or path
Collocations
a high arc
|a wide arc
|a gentle arc
|move in an arc
|describe an arc
|follow an arc
Synonyms
curve (General word for any bending line or path, not only part of a circle.)
|
bow (Suggests a more pronounced or decorative curve, often used for shapes rather than paths.)
Antonyms
straight line (Describes a line with no curve at all, the opposite of the bent shape of an arc.)
Themes
shape
|physics
|movement
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
A curved line or path, like part of a circle.
A smoothly curved line or path, typically forming part of a circle or similar curve.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the [story/character/narrative] arc of [something]
The series has a strong story arc that builds across all ten episodes.
A sorozatnak erős történetíve van, amely mind a tíz epizód során fokozatosan épül fel.
Fans loved the character arc that turned him from a villain into a hero.
A rajongók imádták a karakterívét, amelynek során gonosztevőből hőssé vált.
The movie's narrative arc felt rushed in the final act.
Writers spent weeks planning the season-long arc for the show.
Learner examples
The story arc is simple but powerful.
A történetív egyszerű, de erőteljes.
Her character arc shows how she becomes brave.
A karakteríve megmutatja, hogyan válik bátorrá.
The show has a long story arc across five seasons.
We talked about the hero's arc in the film.
Common mistake:
Learners may say "story line arc" or "plot arc line" instead of using simple phrases like "story arc" or "plotline". They may also think "arc" is only a math or shape word and not use it for stories.
Meaning
overall direction of a story
Collocations
story arc
|character arc
|narrative arc
|season-long arc
|romantic arc
|overall arc
Synonyms
plotline (Stresses the connected events in the story; very close in meaning but does not usually include character growth by itself.)
|
storyline (Common and informal; focuses on the main events of the story, not always on deeper development.)
Antonyms
episode (An individual, self-contained part of a series without emphasizing a long-term, connected development.)
Themes
media
|literature
|storytelling
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
The main line of a story or character, from the beginning to the end.
The overall shape and direction of a story, series, or character's development over time.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
the arc of [someone/something]
The arc of his career has been steadily upward.
Karrierjének íve folyamatosan felfelé tartott.
The book examines the long arc of civil rights in the country.
A könyv az országban a polgárjogok fejlődésének hosszú ívét vizsgálja.
Over the arc of her life, she moved from poverty to great influence.
Politicians often talk about bending the arc of history toward justice.
Learner examples
We looked at the arc of his career over thirty years.
Megvizsgáltuk karrierjének harmincéves ívét.
The film shows the arc of her life from child to old woman.
A film bemutatja életének ívét gyerekkorától idős asszony koráig.
Over the arc of history, ideas about freedom have changed.
The arc of the project went from hope to failure.
Common mistake:
Learners may think only physical things can have an "arc" and may avoid using it for abstract ideas like history or a career.
Meaning
overall direction of change over time
Collocations
the arc of history
|the arc of his career
|the arc of her life
|a long arc
|the overall arc
|the political arc
Synonyms
trajectory (Often used for careers, trends, or movements; can sound slightly more formal or technical.)
|
course (More general word for the way something develops, without the visual sense of a smooth curve.)
Antonyms
aimlessness (Suggests a lack of clear direction or pattern, the opposite of having a recognizable arc.)
Themes
history
|society
|career
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The way something slowly changes over time, seen as one long movement.
The general pattern and direction in which something develops or changes over a long period, especially a life, career, or historical process.
VERB
B2
4
ível
B2
ívben halad
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] arcs over/across [something]; [something] arcs through [place]
The firework arced across the night sky before exploding.
A tűzijáték-rakéta ívben szelte át az éjszakai égboltot, mielőtt felrobbant.
A fountain of water arced over the path and into the pond.
Egy vízsugár ívelt át az ösvény fölött, majd a tóba hullott.
He arced the ball perfectly into the net.
The bridge arcs gently over the river.
Learner examples
The ball arced over the wall and into the goal.
A labda ívben átszállt a fal fölött, és a kapuban kötött ki.
The bird arced across the blue sky.
A madár ívben repült át a kék égbolton.
Water arced from the hose into the garden.
The road arcs around the lake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "turn" instead of "arc" for this graceful, curved movement. "Turn" suggests changing direction, while "arc" emphasizes the whole smooth curve.
Meaning
to move in a curved path
Collocations
arc across the sky
|arc over the crowd
|arc through the air
|arc gracefully
|arc above the water
|arc back
Synonyms
curve (A very close synonym for motion; can also refer to the shape itself, not just the movement.)
|
sweep (Suggests a broad, often graceful movement, not always strictly curved.)
Antonyms
go straight (Describes movement without turning or bending, opposite to arcing.)
Themes
movement
|sports
|physics
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
To move or go in a curved line, not straight.
To move, travel, or extend in a smooth curved path or shape.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
villamos ív
C1
Usage pattern:
an arc between [two conductors]; an electric arc in [device]
An electric arc jumped between the two wires and lit up the room.
Elektromos ív ugrott át a két vezeték között, és bevilágította a szobát.
Arc welding uses an electric arc to melt and join metals.
Az ívhegesztés elektromos ívet használ a fémek megolvasztására és összeillesztésére.
A sudden arc flash damaged the equipment and triggered the safety system.
The old projector used a carbon arc lamp as its light source.
Learner examples
The machine made a bright arc between the metal parts.
A gép fényes elektromos ívet hozott létre a fémrészek között.
In arc welding, an electric arc melts the metal.
Ívhegesztéskor elektromos ív olvasztja meg a fémet.
An electric arc can be very hot and dangerous.
The engineer saw an arc and turned off the power.
Common mistake:
Learners may call any small flash of electricity an "arc". In technical use, an arc is usually a strong and more continuous discharge, not just a tiny momentary spark.
Meaning
visible electric discharge between conductors
Collocations
electric arc
|arc welding
|arc furnace
|arc flash
|arc lamp
|arc fault
Synonyms
spark (Usually shorter and less continuous than an arc; more general and less technical.)
Antonyms
open circuit (Describes a break in an electrical circuit where no current flows, the functional opposite of a conducting arc.)
Themes
science
|engineering
|electricity
|technology
Definition
A bright line of electricity that jumps through the air between two pieces of metal when the voltage is high.
A bright, continuous electric discharge between two separated conductors, such as electrodes, caused by a high voltage.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
6
Usage pattern:
an arc of a circle; the arc AB
Find the length of the arc AB on the circle.
Számítsd ki az AB körív hosszát a körön.
The minor arc is shorter than the major arc between the same two points.
Az ugyanazon két pont közötti kisebbik körív rövidebb, mint a nagyobbik körív.
Use a compass to draw an arc with radius five centimeters.
The central angle determines the size of the circle's arc.
Learner examples
In this problem, we must find the length of the arc.
Ebben a feladatban meg kell határoznunk a körív hosszát.
The arc is only part of the circle.
Az ív csak a kör egy része.
We use a compass to draw an arc on the paper.
The teacher showed the arc between points A and B.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse an "arc" with a "chord" or "diameter". An arc is curved and lies on the circle; a chord or diameter is a straight line inside the circle.
Meaning
part of a circle's edge
Collocations
arc of a circle
|measure an arc
|draw an arc
|minor arc
|major arc
|arc length
Synonyms
segment of circumference (More descriptive mathematical phrase; less commonly used as a fixed term than "arc".)
Antonyms
chord (A straight line connecting two points on a circle, contrasting with the curved arc between those points.)
Themes
math
|geometry
|education
|science
Definition
In math, a piece of the outside line of a circle between two points.
In geometry, a part of the circumference of a circle between two points.
Grammar
Dictionary form
arc
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹk/
US/ˈɑɹk/
Syllables & stress
arc (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (arc)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: arc
- Plural: arcs
Verb
- Base: arc
- 3rd Person Singular: arcs
- Present Participle: arcing, arcking
- Past: arced, arcked
- Past Participle: arced, arcked
Word family
Forms
arcs
noun
arcing
verb
arcking
verb
arced
verb
arcked
verb
Related words
Expressions
arc welding
1/ˈɑɹk wˈɛldɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
welding using an electric arc
A way of joining metal by using a strong electric arc to melt it.
Examples
- He took a course in arc welding at the technical college.
- Arc welding requires special safety equipment because of the intense light.
- The factory uses arc welding to build steel frames.
career arc
1/kɚˈɪɹ ˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
overall pattern of a career
The way a person's job life changes from the start to the end.
Examples
- In the third act of his career arc, he moved into teaching.
- The documentary follows the career arc of the famous singer.
- Her career arc shows a steady rise from intern to CEO.
character arc
1/kˈɛɹɪktɚ ˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
development of a character over time
How a character slowly changes in a story, from the beginning to the end.
Examples
- Her character arc from coward to hero feels believable.
- The film fails because the main character arc is not clear.
- Writers focused on giving each hero a strong character arc.
story arc
1/stˈɔɹi ˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
overall plot of a story
The big story line that connects all parts of a book, film, or series.
Examples
- The show's story arc keeps viewers interested from week to week.
- The movie has a simple story arc that is easy to follow.
- Writers are still planning the story arc for the next season.
the arc of history
1/ðə ˈɑɹk əv hˈɪstɚi/
fixed phrase
literary
long-term direction of history
The way history slowly moves and changes over a long time.
Examples
- Leaders often talk about bending the arc of history toward justice.
- The book looks at the arc of history in the twentieth century.
- Some people believe the arc of history points toward greater freedom.
narrative arc
1/nˈɛɹɪtɪv ˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
overall shape of a story
The way a story grows and changes from the start, through the main problem, to the end.
Examples
- The documentary has a clear narrative arc from crisis to resolution.
- The series has a strong narrative arc across all ten episodes.
- We analyzed the narrative arc of the novel in class.
- Writers often draw a simple curve to plan the narrative arc of their story.
- A good narrative arc usually has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
redemption arc
1/ɹɪdˈɛmpʃən ˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
character’s journey to make amends
In a story, the part where a bad or failed character changes and becomes good or respected again.
Examples
- Fans were disappointed that the villain never got a proper redemption arc.
- Fans loved the villain’s redemption arc in the final season.
- The film gives the former criminal a powerful redemption arc.
- The movie gives the main character a powerful redemption arc after his early mistakes.
- Writers added a redemption arc to make the character more likable.
- Writers debated whether the character even needed a redemption arc.