apex

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The pointed top of something, such as a mountain, triangle or roof.

   Grammar: Countable, with the plural apexes or apices.

   Patterns

   • the apex of something

   Snow covered the apex of the mountain.

   The roof meets at an apex above the entrance.

   In the diagram, the apex of the triangle is labeled A.

2. 2nounsingularfigurative

   The highest or most successful point in a career, process or period.

   Grammar: Usually singular with of: the apex of her career.

   Patterns

   • the apex of something
   • reach the apex

   Winning the gold medal was the apex of her career.

   The empire reached its apex in the second century.

   Sales hit their apex just before the holidays.

Word forms

Common combinations

apex of a career

The film marked the apex of the director's career.

reach the apex

The company reached its apex in the 1990s.

apex of a triangle

Measure the height from the apex of the triangle.

apex predator

The shark is an apex predator in these waters.

at the apex

At the apex of the arch sits a carved stone.

Synonyms and how they differ

peak

Peak is more common and casual, while apex sounds more formal and precise.

summit

Summit is used mostly for mountains and top-level meetings, whereas apex also suits shapes and achievements.

pinnacle

Pinnacle highlights the very best achievement and often sounds more admiring than apex.

zenith

Zenith is more poetic and suggests the highest point in the sky or in success.

Opposites

Word family

apical adjective

relating to the tip or apex, used in biology

apices noun

a plural form of apex

vertex noun

the point where lines meet, a close math word

Commonly confused: apex or vertex?

Practice

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