ace
1 of 7noun (1)
ˈās 
1
a
: a die face marked with one spot
b
: a playing card marked in its center with one pip
c
: a domino end marked with one spot
2
: a very small amount or degree : particle
3
: a point scored especially on a service (as in tennis or handball) that an opponent fails to touch
4
: a golf score of one stroke on a hole
also : a hole made in one stroke
5
: a combat pilot who has brought down at least five enemy airplanes
6
a
: a person who excels at something
a computer ace
b
: the best pitcher on a baseball team
the ace of the staff
ace
2 of 7verb
aced; acing
transitive verb
1
: to score an ace against (an opponent)
2
: to make (a hole in golf) in one stroke
3
: to gain a decisive advantage over : defeat —usually used with out
4
a
: to earn a high grade on (something, such as an examination)
especially : to get an A on
b
: to perform extremely well in
he aced every subject
ace
3 of 7adjective (1)
: of first or high rank or quality
an ace mechanic
ace
4 of 7noun (2)
plural aces
: an asexual person (see asexual sense 3b)
Like many other aces and aros, I grew up thinking I was broken. I was 19 before I heard the words "asexual" or "aromantic," before I found out that there were other people in the world like me.
Mikayla Micomonaco
Mikayla Micomonacoace
5 of 7adjective (2)
: asexual
But ace individuals often still feel romantic attraction toward others, as well as a drive to cultivate intimate, loving relationships—just without an intrinsic interest in pursuing the sexual aspect. Taryn Deoilers
Taryn DeoilersAce
6 of 7trademark
—used for a bandage with elastic properties
ACE
7 of 7abbreviation
1
American Council on Education
2
ˌā-(ˌ)sē-ˈē
ˈās-
angiotensin converting enzyme The ACE inhibitors are designer molecules developed specifically to attach to their target enzyme and prevent it from activating angiotensin. Virtually the only thing these drugs do in the body is to interact with ACE. However, ACE is not a very specific enzyme; it acts on hormones besides angiotensin. Harvard Medical Health Letter
Harvard Medical Health Letter
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- adept
- artist
- authority
- cognoscente
- connoisseur
- crackerjack
- crackajack
- dab [chiefly British]
- dab hand [chiefly British]
- expert
- fiend
- geek
- guru
- hand
- hotshot
- maestro
- master
- maven
- mavin
- meister
- past master
- proficient
- scholar
- shark
- sharp
- virtuoso
- whiz
- wizard
Adjective (1)
- accomplished
- adept
- compleat
- complete
- consummate
- crack
- crackerjack
- educated
- experienced
- expert
- good
- great
- master
- masterful
- masterly
- practiced
- practised
- professed
- proficient
- skilled
- skillful
- versed
- veteran
- virtuoso
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun (1) She won the match by scoring more than 30 aces. took a few lessons with a tennis ace to improve his backhand Verb She aced her entrance exams. He aced his annual physical. He aced his opponent on the last point of the match.
Recent Examples on the Web The Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2022 The feeling is mutual, according to Cleveland’s ace. Joe Noga, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 Rookie first baseman Joey Meyer led off the ninth against Red Sox ace Roger Clemens with a blast that just curled around the right-field foul pole to give Milwaukee a 3-2 win. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Another Badham ace put the Rams on the brink, the 24-17 lead seemed more than safe. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Such an assignment would require an ace’s talent, but also a certain defiant streak, impervious to the stakes and the hostile crowd around them. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 The Razorbacks return virtually every key piece, with the exception of ace receiver Treylon Burks, on an offense that ranked 27th in the nation with 441.7 yards per game and led all Power 5 teams in rushing with 227.8 yards per game. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2022 When Costello’s voice remained steady and his musical aim was true, the show underscored the excellence and durability of his music, buoyed by the superb musicianship of keyboardist Steve Nieve and ace drummer Pete Thomas. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 After New York’s frustrations reached the point of ace Gerrit Cole punching the dugout roof twice and Boone pounding a hand on the podium during a postgame news conference Saturday, the Yankees’ only qualms were with Toronto starter Alek Manoah. Larry Fleisher, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2022 Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 Yankees ace Gerrit Cole twice banged on the dugout roof, shouting in frustration and getting booed as scuffling New York lost for the 15th time in 19 games, beaten by the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 Saturday. Larry Fleisher, ajc, 20 Aug. 2022 Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, closer Clay Holmes, catcher Jose Trevino and left-hander Nestor Cortes were added to the AL roster for the All-Star Game on Sunday. Jimmy Golen, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2022 Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole has watched Holmes’ journey closely. John Perrotto, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took a perfect game into the seventh inning and his offense blasted four home runs. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 4 June 2022 From Sarah Valenzuela: After two games in the spotlight, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge got lost early in the pitching duel between Angels starter Patrick Sandoval and New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on Wednesday in Anaheim. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Domann earned a spot as a playmaking force from the start of camp, and the Colts swung a trade for Stuard on cutdown day that essentially replaced King, adding an experienced special teams ace in a spot left open by offseason departures. The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2022 Some of us launch into multi-item to-do lists, determined to ace the transformation in a weekend. Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, chicagotribune.com, 20 Feb. 2022 See More
Noun
Pitching opposite of Milwaukee Brewers co-ace Brandon Woodruff, Dunn likely knew runs would be at a premium. The Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2022 The feeling is mutual, according to Cleveland’s ace. Joe Noga, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 Rookie first baseman Joey Meyer led off the ninth against Red Sox ace Roger Clemens with a blast that just curled around the right-field foul pole to give Milwaukee a 3-2 win. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Another Badham ace put the Rams on the brink, the 24-17 lead seemed more than safe. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 Such an assignment would require an ace’s talent, but also a certain defiant streak, impervious to the stakes and the hostile crowd around them. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 The Razorbacks return virtually every key piece, with the exception of ace receiver Treylon Burks, on an offense that ranked 27th in the nation with 441.7 yards per game and led all Power 5 teams in rushing with 227.8 yards per game. Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2022 When Costello’s voice remained steady and his musical aim was true, the show underscored the excellence and durability of his music, buoyed by the superb musicianship of keyboardist Steve Nieve and ace drummer Pete Thomas. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 After New York’s frustrations reached the point of ace Gerrit Cole punching the dugout roof twice and Boone pounding a hand on the podium during a postgame news conference Saturday, the Yankees’ only qualms were with Toronto starter Alek Manoah. Larry Fleisher, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2022 Verb
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge got lost in the pitching duel between Angels starter Patrick Sandoval and New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 Yankees ace Gerrit Cole twice banged on the dugout roof, shouting in frustration and getting booed as scuffling New York lost for the 15th time in 19 games, beaten by the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 Saturday. Larry Fleisher, ajc, 20 Aug. 2022 Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, closer Clay Holmes, catcher Jose Trevino and left-hander Nestor Cortes were added to the AL roster for the All-Star Game on Sunday. Jimmy Golen, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2022 Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole has watched Holmes’ journey closely. John Perrotto, Forbes, 7 July 2022 Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took a perfect game into the seventh inning and his offense blasted four home runs. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 4 June 2022 From Sarah Valenzuela: After two games in the spotlight, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge got lost early in the pitching duel between Angels starter Patrick Sandoval and New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on Wednesday in Anaheim. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Domann earned a spot as a playmaking force from the start of camp, and the Colts swung a trade for Stuard on cutdown day that essentially replaced King, adding an experienced special teams ace in a spot left open by offseason departures. The Indianapolis Star, 31 Aug. 2022 Some of us launch into multi-item to-do lists, determined to ace the transformation in a weekend. Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 Adjective
An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, ajc, 21 Feb. 2022 An ace American skier who faltered and went home empty-handed. Ted Anthony, chicagotribune.com, 20 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English as, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin ass-, ās "copper money piece (at first a pound, but progressively reduced to a half-ounce), pound unit of weight, unit," of uncertain origin
Note: The word ās has been compared within Latin to asser "wooden beam, pole, post" (generalized from a plural asserēs, from a singular *assis?) and assis, axis (by hypercorrection?) "plank, board," though any relationship is far from certain. A loanword from Etruscan?
Adjective (1)
derivative of ace entry 1
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective (1)
1926, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
2008, in the meaning defined above
Adjective (2)
2009, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing ace
Kids Definition
ace 1 of 2
noun
ˈās
1
: a playing card with one figure in its center
2
: expert entry 2
a flying ace
ace
2 of 2adjective
: of the very best kind
an ace reporter
Medical Definition
Ace 1 of 2
trademark
ˈās
—used for a bandage with elastic properties
ACE
2 of 2abbreviation
angiotensin converting enzyme
ace 1 of 3
noun
1
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field took a few lessons with a tennis ace to improve his backhand Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- expert
- master
- adept
- virtuoso
- scholar
- wizard
- guru
- hotshot
- maestro
- artist
- specialist
- proficient
- crackerjack
- meister
- professional
- authority
- geek
- fiend
- whiz
- connoisseur
- consultant
- sharp
- maven
- pro
- mavin
- hand
- shark
- past master
- enthusiast
- dab
- dab hand
- cognoscente
- fan
- addict
- crackajack
- aficionado
- craftsman
- journeyman
- devotee
- hired gun
- buff
- afficionado
- mistress
- all-rounder
- jack-of-all-trades
- Renaissance man
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amateur
- novice
- beginner
- apprentice
- neophyte
- inexpert
- nonexpert
- dilettante
- layman
- dabbler
- nonprofessional
2
as in little
a very small amount not an ace of truth in what she said Synonyms & Similar Words
- little
- shred
- splash
- sprinkling
- glimmer
- hint
- touch
- bit
- lick
- speck
- tad
- spark
- ray
- dab
- spot
- smack
- handful
- pinch
- particle
- trace
- crumb
- dram
- streak
- peanuts
- strain
- sliver
- smidgin
- suspicion
- mite
- nip
- fleck
- ounce
- driblet
- smidgen
- smell
- scintilla
- soupçon
- drop
- dash
- dose
- shadow
- portion
- minimum
- spatter
- patch
- snap
- shade
- smidgeon
- smidge
- whit
- syllable
- skosh
- scruple
- bite
- atom
- taste
- part
- drop in the bucket
- molecule
- chip
- section
- grain
- scrap
- tittle
- minim
- tatter
- morsel
- nibble
- dot
- fragment
- jot
- iota
- vestige
- granule
- mote
- modicum
- hoot
- paring
- semblance
- nubbin
- scattering
- flake
- flyspeck
- smattering
- shot
- smithereens
- smatter
- splinter
- shard
- clipping
- shaving
- shiver
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stack
- deal
- pile
- mountain
- loads
- abundance
- plenty
- quantity
- raft
- bundle
- bucket
- heaps
- wad
- mass
- wealth
- fistful
- barrel
- lot
- mess
- oodles
- profusion
- scads
- reams
- gobs
- boatload
- passel
- peck
- volume
- bushel
- surplus
- lashings
- bonanza
- potful
- excess
- lashins
- embarrassment
- overflow
- slab
- surfeit
- much
- superabundance
- overkill
- overabundance
- superfluity
- hunk
- overage
- oversupply
- chunk
- overmuch
- lump
3
as in inch
a very small distance or degree came within an ace of being chosen for the part Synonyms & Similar Words
- inch
- step
- neck
- hair
- bit
- stone's throw
- hop, skip, and jump
- shouting distance
- hairbreadth
- dab
- trifle
- hairsbreadth
- crumb
- smidgin
- hairline
- mite
- minim
- jot
- iota
- smidgen
- particle
- smidgeon
- smidge
- trace
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- long haul
- mile
- infinity
- country mile
- light-year
ace
2 of 3adjective
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor an ace computer programmer Synonyms & Similar Words
- expert
- skilled
- adept
- skillful
- proficient
- experienced
- veteran
- good
- master
- virtuoso
- crackerjack
- great
- talented
- accomplished
- gifted
- consummate
- crack
- practiced
- masterful
- complete
- professed
- educated
- versed
- masterly
- qualified
- capable
- compleat
- competent
- trained
- practised
- adroit
- employable
- handy
- old
- polished
- fitted
- slick
- deft
- effective
- efficient
- clever
- taught
- fit
- able
- workmanlike
- dexterous
- schooled
- all-round
- sure-handed
- dextrous
- effectual
- knowledgeable
- tutored
- refined
- habile
- all-around
- multitalented
- multiskilled
- well-rounded
- long-term
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amateur
- inexperienced
- incompetent
- unskilled
- weak
- unfit
- unseasoned
- unqualified
- inexpert
- unable
- incapable
- amateurish
- inept
- unprofessional
- artless
- unfitted
- unskillful
- jackleg
- new
- ineffective
- green
- inexperienced
- ineffectual
- crude
- rude
- untrained
- inefficient
- beginning
- raw
- untalented
- ignorant
- unseasoned
- untutored
- untaught
- unschooled
- talentless
- untried
- would-be
- ungifted
- primitive
- rough
- unpolished
- untested
- clumsy
- awkward
- ham-fisted
- ham-handed
- heavy-handed
ace
3 of 3verb
as in to nail
Synonyms & Similar Words
- nail
- practice
- effect
- practise
- carry out
- carry off
- bring about
- pull off
- put through
- perform
- execute
- compass
- accomplish
- implement
- achieve
- fulfill
- repeat
- effectuate
- perpetrate
- commit
- prosecute
- complete
- fulfil
- wind up
- bring off
- negotiate
- do
- reduplicate
- end
- finish
- attain
- engage (in)
- make
- actualize
- reenact
- follow through (with)
- realize
- work (at)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fail
- slight
- slur
- skimp
Phrases Containing ace
- for thy
- for to
- for want of
- for what
- for what it's worth
- for whatever reason
- for you
- for-profit
- fora
- forage
- forage (for)
- forage acre
- forage cap
- forage density
- forage fish
- forage for
- forage grass
- forage harvester
- forage poisoning
- forage press
- foraged
- lake bed
- Lake Bordeaux B
- Lake Charles
- lake chaubunagungamaug