climax
KLEYE-maks
Climax (noun) means the most intense, exciting, or important point in a story, event, or series of events. Example: “The movie's climax had the whole audience on the edge of their seats.”
noun
1
The most intense, exciting, or important point in a story, event, or series of events.
"The movie's climax had the whole audience on the edge of their seats."
"Tensions built steadily toward a dramatic climax."
"The final chase scene is the climax of the whole novel."
2
The peak of sexual excitement; an orgasm.
"The medical article discussed the physiology of climax."
verb
1
To reach or form the most intense or important point.
"The festival climaxed with a fireworks display over the harbor."
"The play climaxes when the two rivals finally meet on stage."
"Her training climaxed in a race that she had waited years to run."
How to use climax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe peak or most intense moment of something — a story, an event, or sexual arousal.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reach a climax
build to a climax
dramatic climax
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Word forms
- Plural
- climaxes, climaces
- Third person singular
- climaxes
- Past tense
- climaxed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The movie's _____ had the whole audience on the edge of their seats.
Etymology
From Greek klimax, "ladder, staircase," used figuratively for a rhetorical build-up to a peak point.
Synonyms
View more →
peak
culmination
high point
turning point
zenith
crescendo
orgasm
coming
culminate
auxesis
catacosmesis
apex
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “climax” mean?
The word “climax” means the most intense, exciting, or important point in a story, event, or series of events.
How do you pronounce “climax”?
“Climax” is pronounced KLEYE-maks (/ˈklaɪ.mæks/ in IPA).
How do you use “climax” in a sentence?
Here is “climax” used in a sentence: “The movie's climax had the whole audience on the edge of their seats.”
What is another word for “climax”?
Words with a similar meaning to “climax” include auxesis, catacosmesis and apex.
What is the opposite of “climax”?
The opposite of “climax” — its antonyms — is catacosmesis.
What part of speech is “climax”?
Depending on how it is used, “climax” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “climax” come from?
The word “climax” comes from Greek. From Greek klimax, "ladder, staircase," used figuratively for a rhetorical build-up to a peak point.
Is “climax” a common word?
“Climax” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between a "climax" and an "anticlimax"?
A "climax" is the most intense or important point in a story or event, building toward a peak, while an "anticlimax" is a disappointing or trivial outcome that follows unexpectedly after buildup, undercutting the tension rather than fulfilling it.
Where does the "climax" usually occur in a story's structure?
The climax is typically the turning point near the end of the rising action, where the central conflict reaches its most intense moment before being resolved. Everything before it builds tension, and everything after moves toward resolution.
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