crowning glory

USAGE SUMMARY

"crowning glory" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means the ultimate achievement or culmination of something. Example: The company's new product, which was the result of years of research and development, was the crowning glory of their success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spray it with "Crowning Glory" (Crowning Glory is a finishing spray that seals in the moisture of the flowers; you can purchase it online).

WikiHow

And its crowning glory?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Castelfalfi's crowning glory is the Castello.

Independent

Historic churches are its crowning glory.

The Guardian - Opinion

There, modesty is the crowning glory of sentiment..

The New Yorker

But the night's crowning glory is easily "Re: Stacks".

Independent

Don King's coiffure has always been his crowning glory.

Independent

And now, for the crowning glory of the program.

Princeton University

So Woman in her entirety was established the crowning glory.

The New Yorker

The World Cup success in October was the crowning glory.

The New York Times - Sports

This honesty extends to the album's crowning glory: her voice.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crowning glory", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being culminated or considered the ultimate achievement. For instance, specify what exactly is the "crowning glory" of a project or a person's career.

Common error

Avoid using "crowning glory" for trivial or insignificant matters. Overusing it diminishes its impact. Save the phrase for genuinely exceptional achievements or aspects.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crowning glory" is that of a noun phrase, often functioning as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes something as the most outstanding or ultimate aspect of something else. According to Ludwig, it is a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crowning glory" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes the most outstanding or ultimate aspect of something. It is considered grammatically correct and is widely used across various contexts, as supported by Ludwig AI. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media but also appears in wiki and academic sources. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it leans toward formal, suitable for describing significant achievements or remarkable features. To ensure impactful writing, reserve the phrase for truly exceptional instances to avoid diluting its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ultimate achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment aspect, rather than the aesthetic or visual impression.

greatest accomplishment

Highlights the successful completion of a task or endeavor.

finest achievement

Emphasizes the quality and skill involved in the achievement.

pinnacle of success

Conveys reaching the highest point in a successful journey.

shining achievement

Adds a sense of brilliance and distinction to the achievement.

peak performance

Highlights the best instance of something.

highest point

A general term to describe something that has reached the top of the metaphorical mountain.

pièce de résistance

Borrowed from French, it refers to the most outstanding item of a collection.

the best part

A general term to describe the greatest aspect of something.

top dog

An idiom meaning the most successful person.

FAQs

How can I use "crowning glory" in a sentence?

Use "crowning glory" to refer to the most impressive or ultimate achievement. For example, "Winning the championship was the "crowning glory" of their season."

What is a good substitute for "crowning glory"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "ultimate achievement", "finest achievement", or "peak performance".

Is it appropriate to use "crowning glory" in formal writing?

Yes, "crowning glory" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, but consider your audience and the tone of your piece to ensure it fits. More formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic contexts.

What does it mean when someone says that a person's hair is their "crowning glory"?

When referring to hair as someone's "crowning glory", it implies that their hair is their most attractive or striking feature. This usage emphasizes its beauty and significance to their overall appearance.