pinnacle
PIH-nuh-kuhl
Pinnacle (noun) means the highest point of achievement or success. Example: “Winning the championship was the pinnacle of her career.”
noun
1
The highest point of achievement or success.
"Winning the championship was the pinnacle of her career."
"The company reached the pinnacle of its industry."
2
A tall, pointed peak of rock or a similar sharp architectural spire.
"Climbers admired the jagged pinnacle rising above the ridge."
How to use pinnacle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe very top or highest point — of a mountain, a building, or someone's career.
Common pairings
pinnacle of success
reach the pinnacle
the pinnacle of one's career
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Word forms
- Plural
- pinnacles
- Third person singular
- pinnacles
- Past tense
- pinnacled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Winning the championship was the _____ of her career.
Etymology
From Latin pinna, "a point or peak," the same root that gives English "pin."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for pinnacle
See all rhymes for pinnacle →Frequently asked questions
What does “pinnacle” mean?
The word “pinnacle” means the highest point of achievement or success. In plain terms, the very top or highest point — of a mountain, a building, or someone's career.
How do you pronounce “pinnacle”?
“Pinnacle” is pronounced PIH-nuh-kuhl (/ˈpɪnəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pinnacle” in a sentence?
Here is “pinnacle” used in a sentence: “Winning the championship was the pinnacle of her career.”
What part of speech is “pinnacle”?
“Pinnacle” is a noun.
Where does the word “pinnacle” come from?
The word “pinnacle” comes from Latin. From Latin pinna, "a point or peak," the same root that gives English "pin.".
Is “pinnacle” a common word?
“Pinnacle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “pinnacle” have?
“Pinnacle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the highest point of achievement or success.
