ays
/eɪs/
Ace is pronounced ays (/eɪs/). Ace is a short, monosyllabic word meaning top quality or excellence, as a noun it can denote a person who excels at something or a playing card with value. In slang, it can function as a verb meaning to perform exceptionally well. The term is widely used in sports, gaming, and informal praise, conveying high competence with concise, energetic emphasis.
nounAce is a short, monosyllabic word meaning top quality or excellence, as a noun it can denote a person who excels at something or a playing card with value. In slang, it can function as a verb meaning to perform exceptionally well. The term is widely used in sports, gaming, and informal praise, conveying high competence with concise, energetic emphasis.
"She nailed the interview and got the ace job offer."
"That tennis serve was an ace—unreturnable and precise."
"He aced the exam after weeks of focused study."
Pronounce as a single syllable, with the vowel sound /eɪ/ followed by the voiceless /s/. The word is stressed as one unit: /eɪs/. Mouth position: start with a mid-open front vowel shape for /eɪ/, end with a light hiss of /s/. In careful diction you can slightly lengthen the vowel before the /s/ to avoid crisper proximity. Audio references you can compare: Cambridge Dictionary, Forvo entries for /eɪs/.
Two common errors: First, turning it into /æs/ as in ‘as’ by prolonging the a before the s; second, inserting a vowel like /ʊ/ or /ə/ between /eɪ/ and /s/, producing /eɪəs/ or /eɪəs/. Correction: keep the glide short and fluent: /eɪs/. Ensure the /s/ is a brief, clear fricative, not a voiced ending. Practice with minimal pairs like /eɪs/ vs /eɪz/ to feel the lack of a voiced element.
In US/UK/AU, the core vowel /eɪ/ remains similar, but rhotics affect surrounding context: US often keeps a slight vowel color before /r/ in nearby words, though not in ace itself; UK and AU typically have non-rhotic tendencies in connected speech, which may affect linking in phrases (ace end of phrase). The /s/ remains voiceless; some speakers compress the vowel before /s/ more in fast speech. Overall, /eɪs/ is consistent, with minor rhythm and vowel length differences.
The challenge lies in achieving a clean, tense /eɪ/ vowel transition into /s/ without introducing a voiced element or a vowel intrusion. Some speakers’ interdental or alveolar positioning may lead to an exaggerated /z/ or /s/; others may slightily insert a schwa before /s/. Focus on a smooth glide into a crisp, voiceless /s/ with minimal air leakage for authentic /eɪs/.
Ace has no silent letters and is a single stressed syllable by nature, though in rapid speech you might hear it clipped with a shorter /eɪ/ before the /s/. The primary nuance is the precise onset /e/ and the end-final /s/, with no consonant cluster. Maintain a steady vowel, then release into the hiss of /s/ without voicing.
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Ace originates from the Middle English word as, meaning ‘one’ or ‘unit’, and later evolved in card games to denote the highest value card. The modern sense of ‘excellent’ emerged from the metaphor of someone performing at the top, or ‘acing’ a task by hitting it perfectly. In the 20th century, American slang popularized ace as a compliment for outstanding performance, while in sports and gaming it solidified as a verb (to ace) meaning to perform flawlessly. The term’s first documented uses in English trace to early loanwords and cards discourse, but its energetic, evaluative connotation—connoting success and superiority—became prominent in youth and sports slang, spreading globally with media and pop culture.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ace" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ace" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Ace"
-ace sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
