Published February 1, 2025 • Updated October 3, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Apogée meaning
Apogée (m.) is a C1/C2 French noun meaning “peak,” “height,” or “pinnacle.” It refers to the highest or most successful point in a career, period, civilization, movement, or development. The word is often used in the expression être à son apogée (to be at its peak).
Apogée pronunciation
The IPA pronunciation of apogée is /a.pɔ.ʒe/, which sounds approximately like “ah-poh-zhay.”
Apogée example sentences
Claude travaille dans la même entreprise depuis vingt ans et est à l’apogée de sa carrière.
Claude has been working in the same company for twenty years and is at the peak of his career.
Cette peinture symbolise la puissance de l’empire à son apogée.
This painting symbolizes the power of the empire at its peak.
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🪶 Word origin
Apogée comes from apogeus in Latin, which in turn comes from ἀπόγειος (apogeios) in Greek, meaning “far from the earth”.
🔗 Related words and expressions
- le sommet — summit, highest point
- le point culminant — high point, pinnacle
- le zénith — zenith, height
- l’âge d’or — golden age
- l’essor — rise, expansion
- le déclin — decline
- atteindre son maximum — to reach its maximum
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