ace: Meaning and Definition of

ace

Pronunciation: (ās), [key]
— n., v., adj. aced, ac•ing,
—n.
  1. a playing card or die marked with or having the value indicated by a single spot: He dealt me four aces in the first hand.
  2. a single spot or mark on a playing card or die.
  3. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.)
    1. Also calledservice ace.a placement made on a service.
    2. any placement.
    3. a serve that the opponent fails to touch.
    4. the point thus scored.
  4. a fighter pilot credited with destroying a prescribed number or more of enemy aircraft, usually five, in combat.
  5. a very skilled person; expert; adept: an ace at tap dancing.
  6. a one-dollar bill.
  7. a close friend.
  8. He hit a 225-yard ace on the first hole.
    1. Also calledhole in one.a shot in which the ball is driven from the tee into the hole in one stroke:He hit a 225-yard ace on the first hole.
    2. a score of one stroke made on such a shot:to card an ace.
  9. a barbiturate or amphetamine capsule or pill.
  10. a very small quantity, amount, or degree; a particle: not worth an ace.
  11. a grade of A; the highest grade or score.
  12. an important, effective, or decisive argument, resource, or advantage kept in reserve until needed.
  13. to be highly regarded by: The boss says you're aces with him.
  14. Auction Bridge. aces equally divided between opponents.
  15. within a narrow margin of; close to: He came within an ace of winning.
—v.t.
  1. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to win a point against (one's opponent) by an ace.
  2. to make an ace on (a hole).
  3. to cheat, defraud, or take advantage of (often fol. by out): to be aced out of one's inheritance; a friend who aced me out of a good job.
  4. He aced every physical fitness test they gave him.
    1. to receive a grade of A, as on a test or in a course (sometimes fol. by out).
    2. to complete easily and successfully:He aced every physical fitness test they gave him.
  5. to accomplish something with complete success: a champion who could ace it every time.
—adj.
  1. excellent; first-rate; outstanding.

ACE

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. American Council on Education.
  2. Army Corps of Engineers.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • ace (Thesaurus)