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apices: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2
UK/ˈeɪ.pɪ.siːz/US/ˈeɪ.pəˌsiːz/

Formal, Technical, Academic

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Quick answer

What does “apices” mean?

The plural form of 'apex', meaning the highest points, peaks, or tips of something.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The plural form of 'apex', meaning the highest points, peaks, or tips of something.

In technical contexts, it can refer to the pointed ends of structures (e.g., leaves, teeth, mountains) or the climax or culmination of a process or period.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties treat it as a formal/technical plural.

Connotations

Equally formal and technical in both dialects.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in both, with slightly higher occurrence in British academic texts due to historical Latin influence.

Grammar

How to Use “apices” in a Sentence

the apices of [PLURAL NOUN]at the apicesforming the apices

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
geometric apicesleaf apicesdental apicespyramid apices
medium
reach the apicesapices of the trianglessharp apices
weak
apices of powerapices of their careersmountain apices

Examples

Examples of “apices” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • [No verb form]

American English

  • [No verb form]

adverb

British English

  • [No adverb form]

American English

  • [No adverb form]

adjective

British English

  • [No direct adjective form. Use 'apical'.]

American English

  • [No direct adjective form. Use 'apical'.]

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The apices of our corporate structure.'

Academic

Common in geometry, biology, and geology: 'The apices of the cones were aligned.'

Everyday

Virtually never used. The singular 'apex' or simpler terms like 'tops' are preferred.

Technical

Standard term in specific fields: 'The root canal treatment involved cleaning the apices.'

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “apices”

Strong

verticespinnacleszenithsculminations

Neutral

peakssummitstipstops

Weak

endsextremitieshigh points

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “apices”

basesbottomsnadirsfoundations

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “apices”

  • Using 'apices' as a singular noun.
  • Pronouncing it as /əˈpɪs.iːz/.
  • Misspelling as 'apexes' in formal technical writing (though 'apexes' is an accepted variant).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Both are correct plurals of 'apex'. 'Apices' (/ˈeɪ.pɪ.siːz/) is the original Latin plural and is preferred in formal, scientific, and academic writing. 'Apexes' is more common in general English.

It is highly discouraged. Using it would sound overly formal and pedantic. Use 'peaks', 'tops', 'tips', or simply the singular 'apex' instead.

In British English: /ˈeɪ.pɪ.siːz/ (AY-pi-seez). In American English: /ˈeɪ.pəˌsiːz/ (AY-puh-seez). The stress is on the first syllable.

Recognising it as a low-frequency, formal plural noun and knowing when (or more importantly, when not) to use it. Learners should master the singular 'apex' first.

The plural form of 'apex', meaning the highest points, peaks, or tips of something.

Apices is usually formal, technical, academic in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[No common idioms for this specific plural form]”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'APices are the tIPS of many APexes.'

Conceptual Metaphor

ACHIEVEMENT IS HEIGHT / STRUCTURE IS GEOMETRY (e.g., reaching the apices of one's field).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In geometry, the of the pyramids were perfectly aligned.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'apices' most appropriately used?

apices: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore