ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pinnacle

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈpɪnəkəɫ// UK //pˈɪnəkəl// pin·na·cle

n. the highest point or the most successful part of something. You use it to describe the top of a mountain or the best moment in a career.

n. the highest point or culmination of a process, career, or physical structure. Often used metaphorically to describe the peak of achievement or status.


SIMPLE

Winning the award was the pinnacle of her career.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of training, reaching the summit of Everest felt like the pinnacle of his life as a climber.

COMPLEX

The cathedral's design represents the pinnacle of Gothic architecture, featuring intricate stone carvings and soaring spires that dominate the city skyline.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French pinacle, pinnacle, from Late Latin pinnaculum (“a peak, pinnacle”), from Latin pinna (“a pinnacle”); see pin. Doublet of panache.

Usage

Often used in the singular form with the definite article ('the pinnacle of').

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