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apotheosis

/ˌæp.əˈθiː.ə.sɪs/
IELTSAcademic
noun

The highest point of development, success, or achievement. It can also mean treating someone or something as if they were perfect or godlike.

  • Her speech was the apotheosis of confidence.
  • The film is seen as the apotheosis of his career.
  • For fans, the singer was almost an apotheosis.

Adinary Nuance

Use apotheosis for the highest, most impressive stage of something. It is stronger and more elevated than peak or high point, and more formal than climax in many contexts. Compared with ideal, it suggests real admiration for something that feels almost perfect. It can also mean praising a person as godlike, which is less common in everyday speech.

In other languages

Vietnamese
đỉnh cao
Spanish
apoteosis
Chinese
顶峰
Japanese
頂点
Korean
극치

Etymology

From Greek apotheosis, meaning “making into a god.” It entered English through Latin and was used in English from the 16th century.

Common phrases

the apotheosis of successthe apotheosis of styleapotheosis of a career

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is apotheosis a formal word?
Yes. It is formal and more common in writing than in everyday conversation.
What is the difference between apotheosis and peak?
Peak is more general and everyday. Apotheosis sounds more literary and suggests the very highest form or stage.
Can apotheosis mean a person is treated like a god?
Yes. It can mean praising or elevating someone as if they were perfect or divine.
Is apotheosis common in IELTS or academic writing?
Yes, it can appear in academic or literary writing, especially when describing excellence or ideal form.