Definition

1. Noun:

   • A playing card with a single symbol: A card in a standard deck that has one pip (symbol), typically the highest or lowest card depending on the game.
   • An expert or highly skilled person: Someone who is extremely proficient or outstanding in a particular field or activity.
   • A point scored in sports: In tennis, a serve that the opponent cannot touch; in golf, a hole completed in a single stroke.
   • The smallest whole number: The number one.

2. Verb:

   • To score an ace in sports: To serve an ace in tennis or to complete a golf hole in one stroke.
   • To perform exceptionally well: To succeed easily or perfectly in a task, test, or competition.

3. Adjective:

   • Excellent, first-rate: Of the highest quality or skill.

Examples

• Noun:

  • He drew an ace from the deck.
  • She is an ace at computer programming.
  • The tennis player won the match with a powerful ace.
  • There's only one ace left in the pack.

• Verb:

  • She aced her opponent with a serve to the corner.
  • He aced the final exam without any difficulty.

• Adjective:

  • He is an ace pilot.
  • They did an ace job on the project.

Advanced Usage

• "ace in the hole": A hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed.

  • His extensive research was his ace in the hole during the debate.

• "within an ace of": Very close to doing or experiencing something.

  • He was within an ace of winning the championship.

• "to have an ace up one's sleeve": To have a secret plan or advantage.

  • The negotiator seemed calm because he had an ace up his sleeve.

Variants and Related Words

• Aces (adj, informal): Excellent, outstanding.
  • You've been aces throughout this whole process.

Synonyms

• Noun (expert): Expert, master, virtuoso, champion.
• Verb (excel): Excel, nail, pass with flying colors, triumph.
• Adjective: Excellent, superb, first-rate, top-notch.

Related Phrases

• Ace out (verb, informal): To defeat or outdo someone.

  • Our team aced out the competition.

• Ace up (verb): To achieve a high grade or score.

  • She aced up in all her science courses.

Related Idioms

• "to trump somebody's ace": To counter or outdo someone's best move or argument.
  • Just when he thought he had won, she trumped his ace with new evidence.

Adjective

1. of the highest quality
   • an ace reporter
   • a crack shot
   • a first-rate golfer
   • a super party
   • played top-notch tennis
   • an athlete in tiptop condition
   • she is absolutely tops

Noun

1. a serve that the receiver is unable to reach
2. a major strategic headquarters of NATO; safeguards an area extending from Norway to Turkey
3. proteolytic enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II
4. someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
5. one of four playing cards in a deck having a single pip on its face
6. the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
   • he has the one but will need a two and three to go with it
   • they had lunch at one

Verb

1. serve an ace against (someone)
2. play (a hole) in one stroke
3. score an ace against
   • He aced his opponents
4. succeed at easily
   • She sailed through her exams
   • You will pass with flying colors
   • She nailed her astrophysics course