ace

Universal Words noun, adjective 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 / tennis / flying ace * an ace pilot / 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. IDIOMS an ace up your sleeve (BrE) (AmE an ace in the hole) (informal) a secret advantage, for example a piece of information or a skill, that you are ready to use if you need to hold all the aces to have all the advantages in a situation: The union soon realized that the management held all the aces. play your ace to use your best argument, etc. in order to get an advantage in a situation within an ace of sth / of doing sth (BrE) very close to sth: We came within an ace of victory. adjective (informal) very good: We had an ace time.