arch

³arch

adj

Definition of ARCH

1

: principal, chief <your arch opponent>

2

a : mischievous, saucy b : marked by a deliberate and often forced playfulness, irony, or impudence <known for her arch comments> <decided to answer them by being teacherly in a sort of arch, Olympian way — Gerald Early>

— arch·ness noun

Examples of ARCH

1. a politician known for his arch humor
2. The novel is never mocking or arch in its tone.

Origin of ARCH

¹arch-

First Known Use: 1547

Related to ARCH

Synonyms: foremost, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms: last, least

Related Words: distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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