ace

ace — noun

1. a card in a pack that shows just one suit mark, and in many games it counts as t

1.nounB2
Definition

a card in a pack that shows just one suit mark, and in many games it counts as the highest card or the lowest one.

Example

Sofia laid the ace of hearts beside the king and smiled.

ace of + suit

In this game, the ace is lower than the two.

ace as lowest card in some games

Common collocations
  • ace of hearts
  • ace of spades
  • high ace
  • low ace
Synonyms
  • one

    used in some card-game language for the card with one suit mark

Grammar Patterns

ace of + suit

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'of' and the name of the suit. Game rules decide whether the ace is high or low.

Common Mistakes

I drew an ace card of spades.
I drew the ace of spades.
the usual pattern is 'the ace of' plus the suit.

2. someone who is extremely good at a particular activity, subject, or job.

2.nounB2
Definition

someone who is extremely good at a particular activity, subject, or job.

Example

Mei is an ace at fixing old radios in her father's shop.

an ace at + -ing

By noon, the rookie looked like an ace behind the wheel.

ace used for a highly capable person

Common collocations
  • an ace at maths
  • an ace reporter
  • local ace
  • real ace
Synonyms
  • expert

    more neutral and less playful

  • master

    stronger and often suggests long experience

  • whiz

    very informal and often used for mental skill

Antonyms
  • beginner

    someone still learning the skill

  • amateur

    can suggest lower skill in context

Grammar Patterns

an ace at + noun/-ing

ace + job noun

Usage Note

Common after 'an' and often followed by 'at' plus an activity. It can also come before a job or field noun, as in 'an ace reporter'.

Common Mistakes

She is ace in cooking.
She is an ace at cooking.
as a noun, 'ace' usually needs an article and often takes 'at'.

3. a tennis serve that wins the point at once because the receiver never gets a rac

3.nounB2
Definition

a tennis serve that wins the point at once because the receiver never gets a racket on the ball.

Example

Pia hit an ace down the middle on match point.

hit an ace

The crowd cheered when his first serve became another ace.

serve becomes an ace

Common collocations
  • hit an ace
  • serve an ace
  • ace down the middle
  • another ace
Synonyms
  • service winner

    broader; the returner may still touch the ball, unlike an ace

Antonyms
  • fault

    a serve that does not start play correctly

Grammar Patterns

hit/serve an ace

Usage Note

Used mainly in tennis and similar serve-based sports. It refers to the serve itself or the point won from it.

Common Mistakes

She made an ace ball.
She hit an ace.
speakers usually say 'hit' or 'serve' an ace, not 'make an ace ball'.

4. someone who feels no sexual attraction toward other people.

4.nounC1
Definition

someone who feels no sexual attraction toward other people.

Example

Jay came out as an ace during a talk with friends.

come out as an ace

An online group helped Nora meet other aces in Taiwan.

plural form: aces

Common collocations
  • come out as ace
  • ace community
  • other aces
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

an ace

aces

Usage Note

Most common in LGBTQ+ and identity discussions. Distinguish from adjective 2: this noun names the person, while adjective 2 describes the person or related topics.

Common Mistakes

Ken is an ace because he is waiting until marriage.
Ken may be waiting until marriage, but that does not by itself mean he is ace.
'ace' is about attraction, not simply a choice about sex.

5. a golf result where one stroke sends the ball straight into the cup from the sta

5.nounB2
Definition

a golf result where one stroke sends the ball straight into the cup from the starting tee.

Example

Ken scored an ace on the short seventh hole.

score an ace

The clubhouse went silent before everyone realised it was an ace.

it was an ace

Common collocations
  • score an ace
  • first ace
  • rare ace
  • ace on the seventh
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

score/get an ace

Usage Note

Used in golf as a shorter alternative to 'hole in one'. It refers to the score or the shot that produced it.

Common Mistakes

She got an ace in golf by one hit.
She got an ace with one shot.
golf uses 'shot' or 'stroke', not 'hit' in this context.
Idioms

an ace up your sleeve

idiom

A hidden advantage that you can use when needed.

Maya kept an ace up her sleeve for the final negotiation.

Do you have an ace up your sleeve for the competition?

hold all the aces

idiom

To have all the advantages in a situation.

In the debate, the experienced lawyer held all the aces.

The team held all the aces with their star player back.

play your ace

idiom

To use your best argument or resource to gain an advantage.

Diego decided to play his ace and reveal the new product.

When the talks stalled, Sara played her ace skillfully.

ace — verb

ace — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For adjective sense 1, ace is lively, informal praise. It sounds more playful than excellent, which is neutral and works in school, work, or formal writing. Great is broader and more ordinary; you can use it for almost anything, but it feels less vivid. Brilliant is also strong praise, often with more excitement or admiration for cleverness. If you say, 'Your plan is ace,' you sound casual and enthusiastic. If you say, 'Your plan is excellent,' you sound more measured. 'The concert was brilliant' suggests a stronger emotional reaction than 'The concert was great.'

aceexcellentgreatbrilliant

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Ace first meant 'one'. English took it from Old French, which had borrowed it from Latin as, a Roman coin and unit with the value of one. From cards and dice, the word later developed the idea of being the best, because the ace could rank above other cards in many games. That helped produce later meanings such as a top performer and the informal adjective meaning 'excellent'. The sexuality-related noun and adjective are newer short forms of asexual.