Here’s the latest on “arch” meaning cheeky (arch as in mischievous or sly):
- Arch as an adjective meaning mischievous or sly is a common usage in English, often describing a person’s playful but slightly mischievous demeanor. This sense can be seen in phrases like “arch humor” or “an arch look”.[1][2][3]
- In modern usage, “arch” can convey playfulness with a hint of irony or impudence, rather than outright rudeness or malice. It’s often used to describe a knowingly teasing or sly style, as in “arch comment” or “arch joke”.[1]
- If you encounter “arch” in literature or casual speech, it typically characterizes the speaker or tone as knowingly cheeky or sly, not harshly mocking.[4][5]
Practical examples:
- “She gave an arch smile” suggests a sly, teasing grin.
- “That was an arch remark” signals a deliberately playful, a little impudent comment.
Illustration:
- A character with arched eyebrows and a wry smile often signals arch humor.
If you want, I can pull more examples from contemporary usage or show how arch differs from related terms like saucy or impish.[3][1]
Sources
arch Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. arch Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com
economictimes.indiatimes.comnews
www.prnewswire.comFind Arch Latest News, Videos & Pictures on Arch and see latest updates, news, information from NDTV.COM. Explore more on Arch.
www.ndtv.comARCH meaning: 1 : a usually curved part of a structure that is over an opening and that supports a wall or other weight above the opening; 2 : the raised area on the bottom of the foot that is formed by a curved section of bones
www.britannica.comThe following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Comparisons between 2019 and 2018 have been omitted from... -February 26, 2021 at 07:29 pm - MarketScreener
uk.marketscreener.comArchness is a quality of being cheeky or playful in a way that's almost rude. If your philosophy professor cracks a lot of jokes during her lecture on ethics, you might comment on her archness.
www.vocabulary.coma typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening)… See the full definition
www.merriam-webster.com