apex

/ˈeɪpɛks/ neutral to formal

Say it: AY-peks

1. noun The highest point or tip of something.
From the apex of the mountain, we could see for miles in every direction.
2. noun The peak or culmination of a process, career, or period of time.
At the apex of its power, the Roman Empire controlled the entire Mediterranean.
3. noun In motor racing, the point on the inside of a corner that a vehicle passes closest to for the fastest line.
The driver clipped the apex of the turn perfectly, gaining a tenth of a second.

📖 Seen in the wild

The climber finally reached the apex of the mountain after a strenuous ascent.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ apex in a sentence

The bald eagle is an apex predator, at the very top of its food chain.
She reached the apex of her career when she was appointed CEO.
The design featured a steep pyramid with a gold capstone at its apex.
His performance in the final match was the apex of a brilliant season.
The architect placed a small window at the apex of the gabled roof.
By the late 1990s, the band was at the apex of its popularity.
Learning to consistently hit the apex is fundamental to becoming a faster driver.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

pinnacle summit zenith peak climax acme culmination vertex

pinnacle · implies the highest point of achievement or a sharp, spire-like peak.

summit · often used for mountains or high-level meetings, suggesting a final ascent.

zenith · an astronomical term used figuratively for the absolute highest point of power or success.

peak · can be one of several high points, whereas apex is the single highest.

Opposites: nadir, base, bottom, trough

🌱 Where it comes from

Apex comes directly from Latin, where it meant 'the extreme tip, summit, or point' of something, like a priest's cap. Its meaning has remained remarkably consistent since it entered English in the 17th century, always referring to the very highest point.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

apex predatorreach the apexat the apex ofhit the apexthe apex of a career

Apex is a strong word that signifies the single highest point, not just a high point. While 'peak' can be one of many, a mountain or a career has only one apex. It is common in the set phrase 'apex predator' and in technical contexts like geometry and motor racing. The plural can be either 'apexes' or the more formal, Latin-derived 'apices'.

Word family: apical

💬 Quick answers

What does apex mean?

Apex refers to the very highest point of something, either literally like the top of a mountain, or figuratively, like the peak of a career or a civilization's power.

What is the difference between apex and pinnacle?

Both mean a high point, but 'apex' is the absolute highest point of a broader structure. 'Pinnacle' often suggests a sharper, more spire-like peak and is used almost exclusively for the height of achievement.

What is an apex predator?

An apex predator is an animal that is at the very top of its food chain, with no natural predators of its own.

What is the plural of apex?

Both 'apexes' and 'apices' (pronounced AY-pi-seez) are correct plural forms. 'Apexes' is more common in general use, while 'apices' is often preferred in scientific or technical contexts.

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