Curve vs. Arch — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
A curve is a continuously bending line without angles. An arch is a structure, often curved, spanning an opening and supporting weight.
Difference Between Curve and Arch
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A curve represents any bent line or surface, smooth in nature and extends in a non-linear fashion. An arch, while also curved, specifically denotes an architectural structure designed to bear load, forming a curved symmetrical shape.
Curves are fundamental elements in geometry, describing the bend of a line, road, object, or even abstract concepts like graphs. Arches are primarily associated with architecture and engineering, forming a curved shape to provide stability and aesthetic appeal.
The concept of a curve is broader and can be used in various mathematical, physical, and abstract contexts. In contrast, an arch is a specific form, usually made of stone, brick, or other materials, that spans an opening.
Curves appear naturally in the silhouette of a hill or the bend of a river. Arches, however, are man-made constructs that often appear in doorways, bridges, and historical constructions.
In art and design, curves are used to create a sense of movement and softness. Arches have been used historically in design to symbolize strength, support, and sometimes even victory or honor.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A line or outline with a smooth, continuous bend.
A structure featuring a curved top to span an opening.
Context
Can be found in nature or created in various fields.
Architectural element typically built by humans.
Purpose
Describes shape or movement, often without a structural function.
Engineered to bear load and provide support.
Materials
Not associated with materials.
Often made of stone, brick, wood, or metal.
Representation
Used in mathematics, art, and descriptions.
Represents an architectural technique and design.
Compare with Definitions
Curve
A graphed line representing data which is not straight.
The curve on the graph showed a significant increase in sales.
Arch
An architectural element that provides a pathway.
The stone arch led to a secret garden.
Curve
A bend in a physical object or material.
She admired the elegant curve of the vase.
Arch
An arch is a vertical curved structure that spans an elevated space and may or may not support the weight above it, or in case of a horizontal arch like an arch dam, the hydrostatic pressure against it. Arches may be synonymous with vaults, but a vault may be distinguished as a continuous arch forming a roof.
Curve
A term used in statistics to describe the bell curve.
His test scores fell right at the peak of the curve.
Arch
A usually curved structure forming the upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway.
Curve
In mathematics, a curve (also called a curved line in older texts) is an object similar to a line, but that does not have to be straight. Intuitively, a curve may be thought of as the trace left by a moving point.
Arch
A structure, such as a freestanding monument, shaped like an inverted U.
Curve
A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.
Arch
A curve with the ends down and the middle up:the arch of a raised eyebrow.
Curve
A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.
Arch
(Anatomy)An organ or structure having a curved or bowlike appearance, especially either of two arched sections of the bony structure of the foot.
Curve
Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.
Arch
To provide with an arch:arch a passageway.
Curve
A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.
Arch
To cause to form an arch or similar curve.
Curve
A line representing data on a graph.
Arch
To bend backward:The dancers alternately arched and hunched their backs.
Curve
A trend derived from or as if from such a graph
"Once again, the politicians are behind the curve" (Ted Kennedy).
Arch
To span:"the rude bridge that arched the flood"(Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Curve
A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students.
Arch
To form an arch or archlike curve:The high fly ball arched toward the stands.
Curve
The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.
Arch
Chief; principal
Their arch foe.
Curve
The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.
Arch
Mischievous; roguish
"She ... was arch enough to inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would be diverting to her majesty" (Jonathan Swift).
Curve
The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.
Arch
Teasing, ironic, or sardonic
"I know, Edy Boardman said none too amiably with an arch glance from her shortsighted eyes. I know who is Tommy's sweetheart" (James Joyce).
Curve
(Baseball) A curve ball.
Arch
An inverted U shape.
Curve
(Slang) Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.
Arch
An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
Curve
To move in or take the shape of a curve
The path curves around the lake.
Arch
(architecture) An architectural element having the shape of an arch
Curve
To cause to curve.
Arch
Any place covered by an arch; an archway.
To pass into the arch of a bridge
Curve
(Baseball) To pitch (a ball) with a curve.
Arch
An arc; a part of a curve.
Curve
To grade (students, for example) on a curve.
Arch
A natural arch-shaped opening in a rock mass.
Curve
(obsolete) Bent without angles; crooked; curved. Category:en:Curves
A curve line
A curve surface
Arch
(anatomy) Curved part of the bottom of a foot.
Curve
A gentle bend, such as in a road.
You should slow down when approaching a curve.
Arch
(obsolete) chief
Curve
A simple figure containing no straight portions and no angles; a curved line.
She scribbled a curve on the paper.
Arch
To form into an arch shape.
The cat arched its back
Curve
A grading system based on the scale of performance of a group used to normalize a right-skewed grade distribution (with more lower scores) into a bell curve, so that more can receive higher grades, regardless of their actual knowledge of the subject.
The teacher was nice and graded the test on a curve.
Arch
To cover with an arch or arches.
Curve
(analytic geometry) A continuous map from a one-dimensional space to a multidimensional space.
Arch
Knowing, clever, mischievous
I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.
Curve
(geometry) A one-dimensional figure of non-zero length; the graph of a continuous map from a one-dimensional space.
Arch
Principal; primary
They were arch enemies.
Curve
(algebraic geometry) An algebraic curve; a polynomial relation of the planar coordinates.
Arch
Any part of a curved line.
Curve
(topology) A one-dimensional continuum.
Arch
Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed.
Curve
The attractive shape of a woman's body.
Arch
Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.
Curve
(transitive) To bend; to crook.
To curve a line
To curve a pipe
Arch
Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta.
Curve
(transitive) To cause to swerve from a straight course.
To curve a ball in pitching it
Arch
A chief.
My worthy arch and patron comes to-night.
Curve
(intransitive) To bend or turn gradually from a given direction.
The road curves to the right
Arch
To cover with an arch or arches.
Curve
(transitive) To grade on a curve (bell curve of a normal distribution).
The teacher will curve the test.
Arch
To form or bend into the shape of an arch.
The horse arched his neck.
Curve
(transitive) (slang) To reject, to turn down romantic advances.
I was once curved three times by the same woman.
Arch
To form into an arch; to curve.
Curve
Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.
Arch
Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
The most arch act of piteous massacre.
Curve
A bending without angles; that which is bent; a flexure; as, a curve in a railway or canal.
Arch
Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad.
[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
Curve
A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line.
Arch
A curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
Curve
To bend; to crook; as, to curve a line; to curve a pipe; to cause to swerve from a straight course; as, to curve a ball in pitching it.
Arch
A curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially arches of the feet)
Curve
To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.
Arch
A passageway under an arch
Curve
The trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
Arch
(architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
Curve
A line on a graph representing data
Arch
Form an arch or curve;
Her back arches
Her hips curve nicely
Curve
A baseball thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approach the batter
Arch
(of persons) highest in rank or authority or office;
His arch rival
Curve
The property possessed by the curving of a line or surface
Arch
(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension
Curve
Curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
Arch
Expert in skulduggery;
An arch criminal
Curve
Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;
The car cut to the left at the intersection
The motorbike veered to the right
Arch
A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening.
The ancient Roman arch has stood for centuries.
Curve
Extend in curves and turns;
The road winds around the lake
Arch
The curved shape of the foot's top part.
She bought insoles to support her high arches.
Curve
Form an arch or curve;
Her back arches
Her hips curve nicely
Arch
A curved formation in gymnastics or dance.
The dancer held a beautiful arch in her back during the performance.
Curve
Bend or cause to bend;
He crooked his index finger
The road curved sharply
Arch
A structure in the form of an upside-down U or V.
The children built a sand arch at the beach.
Curve
Form a curl, curve, or kink;
The cigar smoke curled up at the ceiling
Curve
A line or surface that deviates from being straight without angles.
The race car driver expertly navigated the sharp curve.
Curve
The degree of bend in a road or path.
The mountain road had many dangerous curves.
Common Curiosities
Can a curve exist in three dimensions?
Yes, curves can exist in three-dimensional space.
Is an arch always made of stone?
No, arches can be made from various materials including wood, steel, and brick.
Are all arches curved?
Most arches are curved, but there are some architectural forms with angled arches.
Are curves only found in physical objects?
No, they can also represent abstract concepts like statistical distributions.
Are all arches part of buildings?
No, arches can be standalone structures as well.
Is an arch a type of curve?
An arch is a specific form of a curve with architectural properties.
Do all bridges have arches?
No, not all bridges use the arch design.
Can 'curve' refer to a change in direction?
Yes, it can describe any smooth change in direction.
Do arches serve a purpose beyond architecture?
Yes, they can also be aesthetic and symbolic.
Are curves and arches interchangeable in design?
Not necessarily, as their structural purposes can differ.
Can the term 'curve' apply to roads?
Yes, it describes the bending nature of a road.
Are there mathematical principles for constructing an arch?
Yes, constructing an arch involves mathematical principles to ensure stability.
Can a curve provide structural support?
In engineering, certain curves can contribute to structural integrity.
Can curves be man-made?
Yes, curves can be designed and created by humans.
Is there a curve in every arch?
Yes, the defining feature of an arch is its curved shape.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Frogfish vs. Toadfish
Next Comparison
Demersal vs. BenthicAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
