arch
- adjective
- /ɑrtʃ/
- Literature
- The author's arch humor kept the readers entertained throughout the novel.
Quite, quite arch, quite, yeah, and quite, quite circular.
- Quite, quite arch, quite, yeah, and quite, quite circular.
Examples
-
The late-twentieth-century notion that individualism is selfishness is thus wide of the mark, promoted by society's arch ideological rival: community.
Academic text (2002) -
And it's so that I I have that kind of evil arch, if that makes any sense.
-
Quite, quite arch, quite, yeah, and quite, quite circular.
-
They were really kind of arch, you know, not kind of nuanced looks at that.
-
They'd say this in arch, ironic tones, as if there were something incredibly witty about calling a Jewish kid "Jewboy."
Fiction book (2002) -
Her arch remarks during the meeting had everyone laughing at her playful teasing.
-
He delivered his speech in an arch tone, making even serious topics sound amusing.
Synonyms
Behaving in a naughty, playful way that annoys others
Being rude in a playful way that shows little respect
Showing dry, slightly mocking humor and not taking things seriously
Causing playful trouble that is not harmful
A look that shows mild confusion and a little amusement
Playfully naughty in a way that teases others
Showing playful, friendly mischief
Being playful in a slightly naughty, teasing way
Having a small proud smile that shows you feel pleased with yourself
Being lively and cheerful, often a little cheeky
Being playful and playing small tricks to surprise people
Saying quick clever remarks that are often funny and a little sarcastic
Playfully naughty in a way that shows teasing or flirtation
Playfully naughty and teasing like a small troublemaker
Acting playful and slightly naughty, often doing small harmless tricks
Playfully making fun of someone in a kind way
Friendly teasing that makes people laugh
Playfully naughty and a little odd
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
A curved part of the main artery from the heart that sends blood to the head, neck, and arms
- Specialized
A curved bone on the side of the skull where the cheek meets the head
- Specialized
The curved part of the foot becomes flat so the whole sole touches the ground
- Specialized
Curved bony part at the back of a spine bone that surrounds the spinal cord
- Specialized
An arch over a stage that makes a frame between the actors and the audience
- Specialized
An arch with a wide, flat curve made from parts of three circles, often used in bridges and large buildings
- Specialized
An arch with a rounded top that rests on stones sticking out from a wall like a bell
- Specialized
A series of arches on each side of a fish's throat that support the gills
- Specialized
An arch with a flat top and a slightly curved bottom used in doorways or bridges
- Specialized
An arch made by stacking layers of stone or brick that stick inward until they meet at the top
- Specialized
An arch that rests on a strong wall at one or both ends to carry weight
- Specialized
A straight horizontal top for a door or window made of angled stones that support each other
- Specialized
A wide, low arch with a gentle point used in old churches and houses
- Specialized
A curved area under the front of the foot that supports weight when standing or walking
- Specialized
An arch wider at the bottom that curves to a rounded top and appears in Islamic buildings
- Specialized
A curved bone or cartilage in the throat of fish and some water amphibians that holds the gills
- Specialized
A curved half-circle shape above a door or bridge seen in Roman buildings
- Specialized
Bones near the shoulder made of the collarbones and shoulder blades that support the arm
A curved section in a thick wall that holds the wall above an opening like a window or door
- Specialized
An arch with a curve smaller than a half circle used for doors and bridges
- Specialized
A curved structure shaped like a half circle used above doors and bridges
- Specialized
A foot problem where the middle part is flat so the whole bottom of the foot touches the ground
- Specialized
A curved opening made by joining three curves into a wide, low shape
- Specialized
A curved support built between short floor beams to carry the weight of a fireplace opening
- Specialized
A cone-shaped corner support that helps carry a dome over a square room
- Specialized
An arch with a horizontal beam resting on stones that stick in from each side of an opening
- Specialized
An arch with ends that meet the front at an angle and that is used on bridges or tunnels
- Specialized
A structure with a straight horizontal top made of stones cut like wedges that support each other
- Specialized
Curved bony part at the back of a spine bone that protects the spinal cord
How Mischievous
Surface Forms
Etymology
Arch as an adjective comes from an old root meaning 'chief' or 'extreme', the same idea you see in archenemy and archbishop. A helpful way to remember this is that an arch smile or remark is playfully 'very' sly or teasing, so it is mildly naughty in a clever way.