noun
Uncommon
zenith
ZEHN-ihth
Zenith (noun) means the point in the sky directly overhead an observer. Example: “The sun reached its zenith right above the equator at noon.”
noun
1
The point in the sky directly overhead an observer.
"The sun reached its zenith right above the equator at noon."
2
The peak or highest point of something, especially a career, power, or achievement.
"The band's zenith came in the late 1990s, when they sold out stadiums worldwide."
"His influence in the company was at its zenith just before the merger."
How to use zenith
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe highest point something reaches — literally overhead in the sky, or figuratively at the top of success.
Common mistake
Zenith is the high point; its opposite, nadir, is the low point — the two get mixed up surprisingly often.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reach its zenith
at the zenith of his career
the zenith of civilization
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Word forms
- Plural
- zeniths
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sun reached its _____ right above the equator at noon.
Etymology
From an Arabic phrase meaning "direction of the head," which passed through medieval Latin into English, picking up an extra "n" along the way through a copying error.
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “zenith” mean?
The word “zenith” means the point in the sky directly overhead an observer. In plain terms, the highest point something reaches — literally overhead in the sky, or figuratively at the top of success.
How do you pronounce “zenith”?
“Zenith” is pronounced ZEHN-ihth (/ˈzi.nɪθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “zenith” in a sentence?
Here is “zenith” used in a sentence: “The sun reached its zenith right above the equator at noon.”
What is the opposite of “zenith”?
The opposite of “zenith” — its antonyms — is antizenith.
What part of speech is “zenith”?
“Zenith” is a noun.
Where does the word “zenith” come from?
The word “zenith” comes from Medieval Latin. From an Arabic phrase meaning "direction of the head," which passed through medieval Latin into English, picking up an extra "n" along the way through a copying error.
Is “zenith” a common word?
“Zenith” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “zenith” have?
“Zenith” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the point in the sky directly overhead an observer.
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