acme

Everyday

1. (formal) The acme is the highest point of something: the peak of success, skill or perfection: «the acme of good manners». tree →
2. Acme is also a name used by many businesses, and is the joke company in Road Runner cartoons. tree →

In the lessons

In formal writing and old books, «the acme of» means the very best example. In cartoons, Wile E. Coyote buys gadgets from the ACME company, which always fail — a funny name everyone knows. Phrases: «the acme of», «at the acme of his career».

Examples

• The castle was the acme of medieval building. tree →
• Her performance was the acme of her career. tree →
• The cake was the acme of perfection. tree →
• Wile E. Coyote's ACME rocket blew up again. tree →
• Many old shops were called «Acme» so they would come first in phone books. tree →
• Winning the cup was the acme of the team's season. tree →

Note

Formal; usually «the acme of». Say «AK-mee». From Greek, meaning «point» or «peak». Similar: peak, height, pinnacle. Do not confuse with «acne» (spots) — one letter different.