Word
Definitions
01peak of a story or event
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the most exciting or important part of a book, movie, or event, usually near the end.
n. the culmination of a narrative's rising action or the turning point of a sequence of events.
“The movie's climax was a tense chase through the city streets.”
“The novel reaches its emotional climax when the two protagonists finally confront their shared past in the ruins of their childhood home.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02sexual peak
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the moment of greatest pleasure during sex.
n. the physical and emotional peak of sexual excitement; often used as a formal or polite term for an orgasm.
“The book discussed the physical changes that happen during climax.”
“Medical texts often use the term climax to describe the physiological responses associated with the peak of sexual activity.”
Synonyms
03stable environment
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. a stable group of plants and animals that has finished growing and changing.
n. the final, stable stage of biotic succession in a given environment.
“The old oak forest is a perfect example of a climax community.”
“In ecological terms, a climax forest represents a state of equilibrium where the species composition remains relatively stable unless disturbed by external forces.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier, as in 'climax community' or 'climax forest'.
04to reach a peak
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to reach the most exciting or important point.
v. to reach a point of highest intensity or to culminate in a specific result.
“The festival will climax with a huge fireworks display on Sunday night.”
“The years of political tension finally climaxed in a series of nationwide protests that forced the government to resign.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'in' or 'with'.
Real-World Examples
“This challenge was doubled for the film’s climax when, without giving too much away, a roomful of characters old and new flit in and out of tangibility.” Etymology
From Latin clīmax, from Ancient Greek κλῖμαξ (klîmax, “ladder, staircase, [rhetorical] climax”), from κλίνω (klínō, “I lean, slant”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/climax
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0