ace

Pluralaces

Formsaces, acing, aced

1. 1
   playing cardnouncountable

   A playing card with one symbol, often the highest card. Also the side of a dice that has one dot.

   She needed one more ace in her hand to win the game.

   In some card games, aces count as the lowest cards.

   UsageSay the ace of hearts. An ace up your sleeve is a secret advantage.

   Note
2. 2
   do perfectlyverbcolloquialUStransitive

   To do very well on a test or an interview, often getting a perfect or almost perfect result.

   She studied all week and aced the math test.

   If you ace the interview, the job is yours.

   UsagePut the test or task directly after ace: she aced her final exam.

   Similarnail, crush

   Oppositefail, flunk

3. 3
   expertnouncountablebefore a noun

   Someone who is very good at something, a real expert.

   My uncle is an ace at fixing old cars.

   The school hired an ace coach for its chess club.

   UsageOften before a job word: an ace pilot. Or say an ace at something.

   Similarexpert, master, wizard, whiz, adept

   Oppositenovice, beginner

   Note
4. 4
   winning servenouncountable

   A serve that wins the point straight away. In tennis the other player must not even touch it.

   She hit three aces in a row to win the game.

   His first serve was an ace, and the crowd cheered.

   UsageYou serve an ace or hit an ace.

   Note
5. 5
   fighter pilotnouncountable

   A military pilot who has shot down many enemy planes, usually five or more.

   He became an ace after shooting down his fifth enemy plane.

   The museum has a display about the aces of the First World War.

6. 6
   top pitchernounUScountable

   The best pitcher a baseball team has.

   Our ace pitched a great game last night, and we won.

   Every team wants an ace who can win the big games.

   UsageOften with a possessive: our ace, the team's ace.

   Note
7. 7
   excellentadjectiveslangUK

   Very good, really great.

   That film was ace, and I want to see it again.

   My nan makes an ace cup of tea.

   UsageCan go after be (the film was ace) or before a noun (an ace weekend).

   Similarexcellent, outstanding, first-rate

   Oppositeterrible, awful, rubbish

8. 8
   hole in onenouncountable

   In golf, a shot from the tee that goes straight into the hole, a hole in one.

   He hit an ace on the short seventh hole and could not stop smiling.

   She has two aces to her name after twenty years of golf.

   Note
9. 9
   verbtransitive

   In golf, to get the ball into the hole with one shot from the tee.

   My grandfather aced the fourth hole when he was seventy.

   Few golfers ever ace a hole in their whole lives.

   UsageYou ace a hole, not the ball.

   Note
10. 10
    beat rivalsverbcolloquialUStransitive or intransitive

    To beat other people in a contest or game, or to do better than them.

    Our team aced out the champions by just two points.

    She hopes to ace out two older girls for the lead role.

    UsageOften ace out: our team aced out the champions.

    Similarbeat, outdo, outclass, trounce

    Oppositelose

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