climax
KLAY-maks
/ˈklaɪ.mæks/
The turning point and highest peak of dramatic tension or action in a narrative.
Represents the ultimate turning point where the central conflict comes to its decisive head.
The story behind the word. Derived from Greek klimax, meaning a ladder or staircase. It originally referred to a rhetorical figure where ideas stepped upward toward a peak, later shifting to denote the top step of narrative drama.
Word relationships
- pinnacle: Pinnacle refers generally to any high point, while climax refers specifically to a structural peak of dramatic action.
- anticlimax: An anticlimax is a disappointing drop after building expectations.
Commonly confused with
- resolution: Climax is the peak tension moment; resolution is the unknotting after the peak.
Word family
- climactic (adjective): Forming or relating to a climax.
Collocations
- dramatic climax
- reach a climax
- build to a climax
- narrative climax
Example sentences
- "The story reaches its climax during the harrowing duel on the castle battlements." Novel criticism
Memory hook
CLIMAX is when you CLIMB to the top of the narrative mountain. The top step of the narrative ladder.
When not to use
Do not use climax for minor twists earlier in the story before the main tension peak.
Fun facts
- People often misspell the adjective as 'climatic' (relating to weather) instead of 'climactic' (relating to a climax).
Related words
Explore more words
apotheosis, clinch, watershed, decisive, catharsis, antagonist
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