Use acme for a true peak, especially one reached after growth or effort. The old literal mountain sense exists, but modern English usually uses the word figuratively.
Use acme for a true peak, especially one reached after growth or effort. The old literal mountain sense exists, but modern English usually uses the word figuratively.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Her career reached acme in 2024. | Her career reached its acme in 2024. |
| The team stood at the acme in its success. | The team stood at the acme of its success. |
| The rash was called acme. | The rash was called acne. |
| The café was nice, so it was the acme of dining. | The café was nice, but it was not the acme of dining. |
Use acme when the point is perfection or supreme excellence, not merely something good or successful.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| This working printer is the acme of technology. | This working printer is a useful piece of technology. |
| The brand name proves the shop is the acme of groceries. | The brand name does not prove the shop is the acme of groceries. |
| The certificate uses acme to renew domains. | The certificate uses ACME to renew domains. |
| That typo was the acme of careful editing. | That typo was the opposite of careful editing. |
Use acme sparingly for a genuine peak or ideal example. It is more formal than peak or high point, and lowercase acme is distinct from uppercase ACME names and abbreviations.
Acne is the skin condition, while acme is a peak or ideal example. Uppercase ACME usually names a company, fictional brand, or technical abbreviation.
Borrowed in the 1560s from Greek akmē, meaning point, highest point, edge, or peak, from a root associated with sharp or pointed things.
What does acme mean?
Acme means the highest point or stage something reaches, or the most perfect example of a quality.
Is acme a noun?
Yes. Acme is a noun, as in the acme of her career or the acme of efficiency.
Is acme still used literally for a mountain peak?
The literal peak sense is historical and possible, but modern English usually uses acme for figurative peaks of power, growth, excellence, or perfection.
What is the difference between acme and apex?
Apex often points to the top or tip of a shape, while acme more often suggests the highest stage or finest example.
What is the difference between acme and acne?
Acme means a peak or perfect example. Acne is a skin condition.
Is ACME the same as acme?
No. Lowercase acme is the common noun. Uppercase ACME is usually a name, fictional brand, or abbreviation.
Where does acme come from?
Acme comes from Greek akmē, a word for a point, edge, highest point, or peak.
What are synonyms of acme?
Common synonyms include peak, height, zenith, pinnacle, summit, culmination, paragon, and epitome.