# arch

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɑɹt͡ʃ/ · frequency rank #6,865

## Definitions
1. An inverted U shape.
2. An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
3. An architectural element having the shape of an arch
4. Any place covered by an arch; an archway.
5. An arc; a part of a curve.
6. A natural arch-shaped opening in a rock mass.
7. The curved part of the bottom of a foot.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷ-
Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos
Proto-Italic *arkuos
Latin arcus
Old French arc
Old French archebor.
Middle English arch
English arch
From Middle English arch, arche, from Old French arche (“an arch”), a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”). Doublet of arc and arco. Displaced native Old English bīeġels.

## Easily confused with
- **are** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-are)
- **art** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-art)
- **arm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arm)
- **ash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-ash)
- **ark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-ark)
- **Ari** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-ari)
- **ard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-ard)
- **arr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arr)
- **arg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arg)
- **asc** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-asc)
- **Ath** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-ath)
- **aro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-aro)
- **arf** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arf)
- **ARP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arp)
- **ARN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arn)
- **AUC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-auc)
- **area** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-area)
- **army** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-army)
- **arms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arms)
- **arts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/arch-vs-arts)

## Common misspellings (6)
`acrh`, `arcch`, `archh`, `arhc`, `arrch`, `rach`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/arch