An archenemy is the main enemy of someone. In fiction, it is a character who is the hero's most prominent and most-known enemy.

What does Arch mean in arch-enemy?

Etymology. The word archenemy or arch-enemy originated around the mid-16th century, from the words arch- (from Greek ἄρχω archo meaning 'to lead') and enemy. An archenemy may also be referred to as an archrival, archfoe, archvillain, or nemesis.

What is the difference between an enemy and an arch-enemy?

As nouns the difference between archenemy and enemy

is that archenemy is a principal enemy while enemy is someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else.