ace
ace Lexical Profile
ace Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A playing card, die, or domino marked with a single spot or pip, typically ranking as the highest card in its suit in most card games.
"She won the final hand by playing the ace of spades."
A person who excels remarkably at a particular sport, activity, or field, originally a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft.
"The pitching ace led the baseball team to its first championship in decades."
In tennis and similar racket sports, a legal serve that is so fast or well-placed that the opponent fails to touch the ball, or in golf, a hole in one.
"She sealed the second set by firing an untouchable ace down the center line."
An asexual person; an individual who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others (informal).
"The online forum provides a welcoming community for aces from around the world."
• verb
To achieve a very high score or complete something with effortless success, especially an examination, interview, or audition (informal).
"After studying all weekend, he felt confident that he would ace the calculus exam."
To score an untouched winning serve against an opponent in tennis, or to complete a golf hole in a single stroke.
"The veteran golfer aced the par-three sixteenth hole during the final round."
• adjective
Of the highest quality or skill; outstanding, expert, or first-rate.
"The newspaper sent its ace investigative reporter to cover the corruption trial."
Experiencing little or no sexual attraction to other people; asexual (informal).
"The campus pride center organized a panel discussion for ace students to share their perspectives."
• Rhymes for ace
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French 'as', denoting the side of a die bearing a single pip, from Latin 'as', meaning a unit, a whole, or a small copper coin. Because the ace came to represent the highest card in many games, the word evolved in the 20th century to mean an expert—originally a military pilot who shot down five or more enemy aircraft.