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.
例句
3 / 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!
词族
记忆技巧
Visualize someone raising their eyebrow into the shape of an 'arch' while they tell you a playful secret or a sarcastic joke.
快速测验
When I asked if she knew about the surprise party, she just gave me an ______ smile and walked away.
正确!
正确答案是: arch
例句
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.
词族
常见搭配
常用短语
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
容易混淆的词
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.
使用说明
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.
常见错误
Learners often mistakenly use 'arch' as an adjective to describe physical shapes (e.g., 'an arch window'), when they should use 'arched'.
记忆技巧
Visualize someone raising their eyebrow into the shape of an 'arch' while they tell you a playful secret or a sarcastic joke.
词源
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.
语法模式
文化背景
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.
快速测验
When I asked if she knew about the surprise party, she just gave me an ______ smile and walked away.
正确!
正确答案是: arch
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