hors concours

[ awr kawn-koor ]

adjective

, French.

1. noting an artist, architect, or the like, not competing or not qualified to compete for the prizes in an exhibit or competition.
2. noting or pertaining to a work or project submitted by such a person to an exhibit or competition.

hors concours

/ ɔr kɔ̃kur /

adjective

1. (of an artist, exhibitor, etc) excluded from competing
2. without equal; unrivalled

Word History and Origins

Origin of hors concours¹

Literally, “out (of the) competition”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hors concours¹

literally: out of the competition

Example Sentences

In 1889, the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges was awarded a Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition after first winning it in 1876 for a straight bridges type with a detent escapement in a plain gold case, before taking home the highest distinction in 1901 when it was declared “hors concours”, its quality deemed beyond compare.

From Forbes

Don't you see we're hors concours—in a class by ourselves?

From Project Gutenberg

The result was actually the top 13, since No. 1 was declared hors concours and there were two ties.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few artists, such as Picasso and De Kooning, were by their own request hors concours.

From Time Magazine Archive

If it had been at Earl's Court, they would have marked me Hors Concours, and set me to judge the other exhibits!

From Project Gutenberg