arch
gb/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ/ us/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ/
B2
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
curved structure over an opening
A strong curved part of a building, bridge, or gate that goes over an open space and holds weight.
Usage pattern:
an arch over [an opening]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'arch' with 'archway'. 'Arch' is the curved structure itself, while 'archway' often refers to the opening that you walk or drive through.
Synonyms
archway (Almost the same meaning, but often emphasizes the passage or opening created by the arch.)
|
vault (Larger and usually refers to an arched ceiling or roof rather than a single opening.)
Antonyms
flat lintel (A straight horizontal beam over an opening instead of a curved supporting structure.)
Collocations
stone arch
|brick arch
|Gothic arch
|arch bridge
|triumphal arch
|under the arch
Themes
architecture
|construction
|housing
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They walked through the old stone arch into the courtyard.
- A series of arches supported the weight of the bridge.
- The cathedral has a high Gothic arch above the main door.
- Tourists gathered under the triumphal arch to take photos.
- The tunnel entrance was framed by a decorative brick arch.
Learner examples
- We stood under the arch and took a photo.
- The church has a big arch over the door.
- The bridge is held up by three strong arches.
- Workers built an arch from heavy stone blocks.
- You can see the sea through the rock arch.
unknown
B2
entity
2
curved part of body or object
The curved part of something, especially the bottom part of your foot that does not touch the ground when you stand.
Usage pattern:
the arch of [a body part]
Common mistake:
Learners may say 'the bottom of my foot hurts' when they mean the arch. Using 'arch' is more precise when the curved inner part of the foot is the problem.
Synonyms
instep (Refers specifically to the upper part of the foot; often overlaps in everyday use when talking about foot shape or pain.)
|
curve (More general word for a bent line or surface, not limited to the body.)
Antonyms
flat foot (Describes a foot with almost no arch, the opposite of a clearly curved arch.)
Collocations
the arch of your foot
|high arches
|fallen arches
|foot arch
|pain in the arch
Themes
body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She rubbed the arch of her foot after walking all day.
- The doctor pressed on the arch to find the source of the pain.
- Runners with high arches often need special shoes.
- My arches start to hurt if I stand for too long.
- The elegant arch of her eyebrow made her look surprised.
Learner examples
- I have pain in the arch of my foot.
- His arches are very high, so he uses soft insoles.
- The nurse checked the arches of the baby’s feet.
- She drew the arch of the bridge and then added details.
- The cat stretched, and the arch of its back grew higher.
Verb
B2
action
3
form or make a curved shape
To bend or move into a high, curved shape, or to make something do this.
Usage pattern:
to arch [a body part]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'make a curve' instead of the more natural verb 'arch', especially for backs, eyebrows, and bridges.
Synonyms
curve (General verb for becoming bent, without the strong image of an arch shape.)
|
bend (More basic and common; does not always suggest a smooth, high curve.)
Antonyms
straighten (Means to make something not bent or curved, the opposite of arching it.)
Collocations
arch your back
|arch her eyebrow
|trees arch over the road
|arches above
|arched gracefully
Themes
movement
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The cat arched its back when it felt threatened.
- She arched her eyebrows in disbelief.
- Tall trees arch over the path, creating a tunnel of shade.
- He arched his body to dive cleanly into the water.
- A metal frame arches above the entrance to the park.
Learner examples
- The baby arched his back and started to cry.
- She arched her neck to see the screen.
- The bridge arches over the river.
- Two branches arch across the narrow road.
- He slowly arched his body in a yoga pose.
adjective
C1
property
4
playfully teasing or sly
Showing that you are joking, teasing, or being a little clever and not completely serious.
Usage pattern:
an arch [smile/comment/tone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'arch' here means 'old' or 'formal' because they see it in books. It actually describes a playful, slightly teasing way of speaking or acting.
Synonyms
mischievous (Suggests playful trouble-making; 'arch' can sound more knowing and ironic.)
|
wry (Emphasizes dry, often ironic humor; 'arch' can be a bit more playful or flirtatious.)
Antonyms
straightforward (Open and direct, without playful teasing or irony.)
Collocations
arch smile
|arch tone
|arch remark
|arch reply
|arch sense of humor
Themes
personality
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She gave him an arch smile and changed the subject.
- His arch tone made it clear he was not being entirely serious.
- The article takes an arch look at celebrity culture.
- With an arch remark, he let her know he had guessed the secret.
- Her reply was so arch that everyone knew she was teasing.
Learner examples
- He answered with an arch smile.
- Her voice was arch, so I knew she was joking.
- The movie has an arch, playful style.
- She made an arch comment about his new haircut.
- His arch tone made the serious topic feel lighter.
adjective
literary
C1
property
5
chief or most extreme
Used before a noun to mean the main or biggest example of something, especially a person who is your main enemy or rival.
Usage pattern:
arch [enemy/rival/villain]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the architectural noun and write things like 'my arch is my enemy'. Here, 'arch' is an adjective before a noun, often written with a hyphen in some styles (arch-enemy, arch-rival).
Synonyms
chief (Very close in meaning; more common in modern English and used with a wider range of nouns.)
|
principal (Formal; often used for official roles or reasons rather than enemies or rivals.)
Antonyms
minor (Describes something less important or less extreme, the opposite of 'arch' in this sense.)
Collocations
arch enemy
|arch rival
|arch villain
|arch critic
|arch conservative
Themes
degree
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In the comics, the hero faces his arch enemy again and again.
- For years, the two companies were arch rivals in the smartphone market.
- The film’s arch villain is charming but ruthless.
- He became the arch critic of the government’s new policy.
- Their club sees the team from the next city as its arch rival.
Learner examples
- Batman fights his arch enemy, the Joker.
- These two schools are arch rivals in sports.
- The story has an arch villain who wants power.
- For her, boredom is the arch enemy of creativity.
- The two leaders were arch rivals for many years.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
6
curved arrangement of teeth in a jaw
In dental language, the way the teeth form a curve in the top or bottom jaw.
Usage pattern:
the dental arch of [the upper/lower jaw]
Synonyms
dental arch (Standard technical term that makes clear the arch is formed by teeth.)
Collocations
dental arch
|upper arch
|lower arch
|arch form
Themes
medicine
|biology
|health
|body
|science
Examples
- The orthodontist examined the shape of her upper dental arch.
- Braces were used to widen the arch of his upper teeth.
- The lower arch was crowded, so two teeth had to be removed.
- Changes in the dental arch can affect the way a person bites.
- The arch form is important for both function and appearance.
Learner examples
- The dentist looked at the shape of my dental arch.
- My braces are changing the arch of my teeth.
- Her upper arch is narrow, so she needs treatment.
- The dental arch should have a smooth curve.
- A wide arch can give more space for the teeth.
Grammar
Dictionary form
arch
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ/
US/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
arch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (arch)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: arch
Noun
- Base: arch
- Plural: arches, archs
Verb
- Base: arch
- 3rd Person Singular: arches
- Present Participle: arching
- Past: arched
Word family
Forms
arches
noun
archs
noun
arching
verb
arched
verb
Core family
archway
noun
Related words
arc
noun B1
Expressions
arch enemy
1/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ ˈɛnəmi/
fixed phrase
main or most hated enemy
A person, group, or thing that is someone’s main and strongest enemy, often for a long time.
Examples
- In the story, the hero finally defeats his arch enemy.
- For many fans, that team will always be their club’s arch enemy.
- Laziness is her arch enemy when she is trying to study.
arch your eyebrows
1/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ jˈʊɹ ˈaɪbɹˌaʊz/
fixed phrase
raise eyebrows to show reaction
To raise and curve your eyebrows to show surprise, doubt, or another strong feeling.
Examples
- She arched her eyebrows when she heard the strange question.
- He just arched his eyebrows instead of answering.
- The teacher arched her eyebrows, and the class went quiet.
fallen arches
1/fˈɔlən ˈɑɹt͡ʃɪz/
fixed phrase
condition of flat or collapsed arches
A medical problem in which the curved parts under your feet become flat, often called flat feet.
Examples
- He wears special shoes because he has fallen arches.
- The doctor said her knee pain might be linked to fallen arches.
- People with fallen arches sometimes need extra support in their shoes.
arch rival
1/ˈɑɹt͡ʃ ɹˈaɪvəl/
fixed phrase
main or strongest rival
A person or group that is your main competitor, especially over a long time.
Examples
- They will face their arch rival in tomorrow's final.
- The two companies have been arch rivals for decades.
- The superhero confronted his arch rival once again.
- Their team faces its arch rival in the final match.
- In the show, the magician and his arch rival try to outdo each other.