arch
As an adjective, 'arch' describes a style of communication or a look that is playfully mischievous, knowing, or ironic. It implies that the person is teasing or shares a secret understanding that others might not possess.
Exemplos
3 de 5She gave him an arch look when he pretended not to know who had sent the flowers.
She gave him a knowing, playful look when he pretended not to know who had sent the flowers.
The professor's arch comments about the curriculum suggested he found the new rules slightly absurd.
The professor's ironic comments about the curriculum suggested he found the new rules slightly absurd.
Stop being so arch and just tell me the gossip already!
Stop being so mysterious and playful and just tell me the gossip already!
Antônimos
Família de palavras
Dica de memorização
Visualize someone raising their eyebrow into the shape of an 'arch' while they tell you a playful secret or a sarcastic joke.
Quiz rápido
When I asked if she knew about the surprise party, she just gave me an ______ smile and walked away.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: arch
Exemplos
She gave him an arch look when he pretended not to know who had sent the flowers.
everydayShe gave him a knowing, playful look when he pretended not to know who had sent the flowers.
The professor's arch comments about the curriculum suggested he found the new rules slightly absurd.
formalThe professor's ironic comments about the curriculum suggested he found the new rules slightly absurd.
Stop being so arch and just tell me the gossip already!
informalStop being so mysterious and playful and just tell me the gossip already!
The novelist employs an arch narrative voice to critique the vanity of the upper classes.
academicThe novelist employs a sophisticated and ironic narrative voice to critique the vanity of the upper classes.
The marketing director made an arch remark about the competitor's surprisingly high prices.
businessThe marketing director made a sly, knowing remark about the competitor's surprisingly high prices.
Antônimos
Família de palavras
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
with an arch expression
having a playful or teasing look on one's face
arch-nemesis
a principal or chief enemy (different sense of 'arch')
arch-villain
a main or most powerful villain
Frequentemente confundido com
The noun refers to a curved physical structure; the adjective refers to a mischievous personality trait.
'Arched' describes something physically curved into a shape, while 'arch' describes a tone or attitude.
Notas de uso
This adjective is primarily used in literary contexts or sophisticated social descriptions. It almost always describes a facial expression, a tone of voice, or a specific remark that suggests the person knows more than they are saying.
Erros comuns
Learners often mistakenly use 'arch' as an adjective to describe physical shapes (e.g., 'an arch window'), when they should use 'arched'.
Dica de memorização
Visualize someone raising their eyebrow into the shape of an 'arch' while they tell you a playful secret or a sarcastic joke.
Origem da palavra
Derived from the Greek 'arkhos' (meaning chief or principal), it evolved from 'arch-rogue' (a chief rogue) to describing the playful, sly characteristics associated with such a person.
Padrões gramaticais
Contexto cultural
The term is frequently encountered in 19th and 20th-century British literature, such as the works of Jane Austen or Oscar Wilde, to denote subtle social wit.
Quiz rápido
When I asked if she knew about the surprise party, she just gave me an ______ smile and walked away.
Correto!
A resposta correta é: arch
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