ne plus ultra

American  

[nee pluhs uhl-truh, ney, ne ploos ool-trah] / ˈni ˌplʌs ˈʌl trə, ˈneɪ, ˈnɛ ˌplʊs ˈʊl trɑ /

noun

1. the highest point; acme.

2. the most intense degree of a quality or state.

---

ne plus ultra British  

/ ˈneɪ ˈplʊs ˈʊltrɑː /

noun

1. the extreme or perfect point or state

---

Etymology

Origin of ne plus ultra

1690–1700; < New Latin, Latin nē plūs ultrā (may you) not (go) further beyond (this point)

Example Sentences

The ne plus ultra, though, was the Bullocks Wilshire tea room.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Here is a top-notch Italian bubbly and a sublime grower champagne that shows why that region is the ne plus ultra of sparkling wine.

From Washington Post • Dec. 2, 2021

The Hope, often cited as a metaphor for ne plus ultra, is unusual in that it has been on view for over 60 years.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2020

“The days are over when getting on the cover of Vanity Fair was the ne plus ultra of public recognition. Now it’s more like the icing on the cake.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2019

He is the oracle—the ne plus ultra of excellence—the phoenix of generals!

From The South-West By a Yankee. In Two Volumes. Volume 2 by Ingraham, Jonathon Holt