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.

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ne plus ultra British  

/ ˈneɪ ˈplʊs ˈʊltrɑː /

noun

1. the extreme or perfect point or state

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Etymology

Origin of ne plus ultra

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

Example Sentences

There were killer doll movies before, but “Child’s Play” is the ne plus ultra that “M3gan” bows before.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2023

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

It seemed as if this ne plus ultra to the Spaniards was to be found in a neighboring and larger island, which has been known by the various names of Hayti, Hispaniola and Santo Domingo.

From Cuba Its Past, Present, and Future by Hall, Arthur D.