An ace is a playing card with a single symbol on it. In most card games, the ace of a particular suit has either the highest or the lowest value of the cards in that suit.
...the ace of hearts. [+ of]
Synonyms: one, single point More Synonyms of ace
2. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
If you describe someone such as a sports player as an ace, you mean that they are very good at what they do.
[journalism]
...the motor-racing ace.
Ace is also an adjective.
...an ace horror-film producer.
3. adjective
If you say that something is ace, you think that it is good and you like it a lot.
[informal, approval]
...a really ace film.
Synonyms: great [informal], good, brilliant, mean [slang] More Synonyms of ace
4. countable noun
In tennis, an ace is a serve which is so fast that the other player cannot reach the ball.
The American served three aces in the opening game of the set.
5.
See hold all the aces
6.
See ace in the hole
7.
See come/be within an ace of doing something
More Synonyms of ace
ace in British English
(eɪs)
noun
1.
any die, domino, or any of four playing cards with one spot
2.
a single spot or pip on a playing card, die, etc
3. tennis
a winning serve that the opponent fails to reach
4. golf, mainly US
a hole in one
5.
a fighter pilot accredited with destroying several enemy aircraft
6. informal
an expert or highly skilled person
an ace at driving
7. an ace up one's sleeve
8. hold all the aces
9. play one's ace
10. within an ace of
adjective
11. informal
superb; excellent
verb(transitive)
12. tennis
to serve an ace against
13. golf, mainly US
to play (a hole) in one stroke
14. US and Canadian
to perform extremely well or score very highly in (an examination, etc)
Word origin
C13: via Old French from Latin as a unit, perhaps from a Greek variant of heis one
ACE in British English
(eɪs)
noun acronym for
1.
(in Britain) Advisory Centre for Education; a private organization offering advice on schools to parents
2.
Allied Command Europe
3.
angiotensin-converting enzyme
ace in American English
(eɪs)
noun
1.
a playing card, domino, etc. marked with one large, centered pip
2. Racket Sports and Handball
a.
a score made by a serve that one's opponent fails to touch
b.
such a serve
3. Golf
the act of hitting the ball so that it goes into the hole on the drive; hole in one
4.
a combat pilot who has destroyed at least five enemy planes
5.
an expert in any activity
adjective
6. Informal
first-rate; expert
an ace salesman
verb transitiveWord forms: aced or ˈacing
7.
to score an ace against, as in tennis
8.
to make an ace on (a particular hole) in golf
9. Slang
to defeat completely; get the best of
often with out
10. US, Informal
to do very well, esp., by earning a grade of A, in, on, etc.
she aced the course
Idioms:
within an ace of
Word origin
ME as, aas < L as, unit, unity, as2
More idioms containing
ace
play your ace
have an ace in the hole
come within an ace of something
the ace in your hand
Examples of 'ace' in a sentence
ace
You could have led the ace of clubs for a quick set.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Either the fourth highest card or the ace will work fine this time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Declarer now plays ace and a low club from dummy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Staff refused to serve the England ace.
The Sun (2016)
One thing is for sure - the opponents cannot cash an ace at trick one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The acting is also ace.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Say declarer leads ace and another heart (rather than a low heart).
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Argentine ace scored his 150th goal for the club but wasted a series of chances to put the game to bed.
The Sun (2016)
Then she played the ace and king of clubs and ruffed a club.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The dual open race ace has a good chance of opening his graded account.
The Sun (2012)
West had played his ace and another club at precisely the wrong moment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He tries to serve aces and comes up to the net when he has the chance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Aces are also valuable when partner has a long suit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It looked as if they would still be swapping aces and love games for years to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But humans still have one ace in the hole.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The ace card of a mystery spinner is that batsmen are not used to him.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The problem is that they have played that ace before.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He is a good ace to be playing in the first race.
The Sun (2015)
He sent down second serve aces as if they were the most routine thing in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Another fine game for homegrown ace.
The Sun (2014)
The Wales ace scored twice in midweek.
The Sun (2013)
Today's ace will suit my tip well.
The Sun (2016)
Strength of former Birmingham midfield ace will be crucial.
The Sun (2006)
The key play is to rise with dummy's ace at trick one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Arsenal ace also recalled a training exercise that did not go according to plan.
The Sun (2010)
Declarer won dummy's ace and scored the last trick with a promoted club.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The example of the first fighter aces fixed itself in the imaginations of a generation being born just as they had met their deaths.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
A suit missing both ace and king is a potential problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The Shakespearean actor starred as the ace detective in an incredible 14 films.
The Sun (2010)
London Medals awarded to a fighter ace who inspired the myth that eating carrots helps people to see in the dark are to go on sale.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Declarer won the ace and spotted an elegant line that would succeed on normal splits, provided East held a heart honour.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
ace
terms used in cards, tennis
In other languages
ace
British English: ace /eɪs/ NOUN
An ace is a playing card with a single symbol on it.
...the ace of hearts.
American English: ace
Arabic: وَاحِد
Brazilian Portuguese: ás
Chinese: 艾司
Croatian: as
Czech: eso
Danish: es
Dutch: aas speelkaart
European Spanish: as
Finnish: ässä
French: as
German: Ass
Greek: άσος
Italian: asso
Japanese: エース
Korean: 에이스
Norwegian: ess
Polish: as
European Portuguese: ás
Romanian: as
Russian: туз
Latin American Spanish: as
Swedish: ess
Thai: หนึ่งแต้มในการเล่นไพ่
Turkish: as oyun, spor
Ukrainian: туз
Vietnamese: quân át
All related terms of 'ace'
ace-high
esteemed ; respected
Ace Bandage
an elasticated bandage used to restrict blood flow to the site of an injury and so reduce inflammation
ACE inhibitor
any one of a class of drugs , including captopril , enalapril , and ramipril, that cause the arteries to widen by preventing the synthesis of angiotensin : used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure
play one's ace
to use one's best weapon or resource
play your ace
to do something clever and unexpected to give yourself an advantage
ace in the hole
Something that is an ace in the hole is an advantage which you have over an opponent or rival , and which you can use if necessary .
within an ace of
almost to the point of
an ace up one's sleeve
a hidden and powerful advantage
the ace in your hand
something that you have, and that you can use to your own advantage
have an ace in the hole
to have something which you can use to gain an advantage
come within an ace of something
to very nearly succeed at doing something
come/be within an ace of doing something
If you come within an ace of doing something, or you are within an ace of doing something, you very nearly do or experience it.
Chinese translation of 'ace'
ace
(eɪs)
n(c)
A纸(紙)牌 (A zhǐpái) (张(張), zhāng)
(Tennis) 发(發)球得分 (fāqiú défēn) (个(個), gè)
the ace of spades黑桃A (hēitáo ēi)
1 (noun)
the ace of hearts
Synonyms
one
single point
2 (noun)
Definition
an expert
(informal)
a first-world-war flying ace
Synonyms
expert
an expert in computer graphics
star
champion
authority
Professor Ahmed is an authority on Russian affairs.
winner
professional
a dedicated professional
master
He is a master at blocking progress.
pro (informal)
specialist
a specialist in diseases of the nervous system
genius
a 14-year-old mathematical genius
guru
fashion gurus dictating crazy ideas
buff (informal)
She is a real film buff.
wizard (informal)
a mathematical wizard at Harvard University
whizz (informal)
Simon's a whizz at card tricks.
virtuoso
China's foremost piano virtuoso
connoisseur
I hear you're something of an art connoisseur.
boffin (British, informal)
a computer boffin
hotshot (informal)
past master
He is a past master at manipulating the media.
dab hand (British, informal)
She was a dab hand at solving difficult puzzles.
maven (US)
(adjective)
Definition
superb or excellent
(informal)
It's been a while since I've seen a really ace film.
Synonyms
great (informal)
It's a great film; you must see it.
good
You should read this book – it's really good.
brilliant
My sister's given me a brilliant book.
mean (slang)
She plays a mean game of tennis.
fine
This is a fine book.
champion
expert
masterly
They gave a masterly performance.
wonderful
I've always thought he was a wonderful actor.
excellent
We complimented him on doing an excellent job.
cracking (British, informal)
outstanding
an outstanding tennis player
superb
a superb 18-hole golf course
fantastic (informal)
I have a fantastic social life.
tremendous (informal)
I thought it was absolutely tremendous.
marvellous (informal)
He certainly is a marvellous actor.
terrific (informal)
What a terrific idea!
mega (slang)
awesome (slang)
dope (slang)
sick (slang)
admirable
The film tells its story with admirable economy.
virtuoso
first-rate
They were dealing with a first-rate professional.
brill (informal)
the dog's bollocks (taboo, slang)
bitchin' (US, slang)
chillin' (US, slang)
booshit (Australian, slang)
exo (Australian, slang)
sik (Australian, slang)
ka pai (New Zealand)
rad (informal)
phat (slang)
schmick (Australian, informal)
The band launch their schmick new CD next week.
beaut (informal)
barrie (Scottish, slang)
belting (British, slang)
pearler (Australian, slang)
idiom
See ace in the hole
Additional synonyms
in the sense of admirable
Definition
deserving or inspiring admiration
The film tells its story with admirable economy.
Synonyms
praiseworthy,
good,
great (informal),
fine,
capital,
noted,
choice,
champion,
prime,
select,
wonderful,
excellent,
brilliant,
rare,
cracking (British, informal),
outstanding,
valuable,
superb,
distinguished,
superior,
sterling,
worthy,
first-class,
notable,
sovereign,
dope (slang),
world-class,
exquisite,
exemplary,
first-rate,
superlative,
commendable,
top-notch (informal),
brill (informal),
laudable,
meritorious,
estimable,
tiptop,
A1 or A-one (informal),
bitchin' (US, slang),
chillin' (US, slang),
booshit (Australian, slang),
exo (Australian, slang),
sik (Australian, slang),
ka pai (New Zealand),
rad (informal),
phat (slang),
schmick (Australian, informal),
beaut (informal),
barrie (Scottish, slang),
belting (British, slang),
pearler (Australian, slang)
in the sense of authority
Definition
an expert in a particular field
Professor Ahmed is an authority on Russian affairs.