ace
ace [ace aces] noun, adjective, verb BrE [eɪs] NAmE [eɪs]
noun
1. a ↑playing card with a large single symbol on it, which has either the highest or the lowest value in a particular card game
•the ace of spades/hearts/diamonds/clubs
2. (informal)a person who is very good at doing sth
•a soccer/flying ace
•an ace marksman
3. (in ↑tennis)a ↑serve (= the first hit) that is so good that your opponent cannot reach the ball
•He served 20 aces in the match.
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the “one” on dice): via Old French from Latin as ‘unity, a unit’.
Example Bank:
•Rafter has served fifteen aces in the match so far.
•Staff ace Robert Robson helped the team to its first win this season.
Idioms: ↑ace up your sleeve ▪ ↑hold all the aces ▪ ↑play your ace ▪ ↑within an ace of of doing something
adjective (informal)
very good
•We had an ace time.
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the “one” on dice): via Old French from Latin as ‘unity, a unit’.
verb ~ sth (informal, especially NAmE)
to be successful in sth
•He aced all his tests.
•They watched the golfer ace the 17th hole (= get the ball into the hole using only one shot).
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the “one” on dice): via Old French from Latin as ‘unity, a unit’.
See also: ↑ace in the hole
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