nonpareil

[ non-puh-rel ]

adjective

1. having no equal; peerless.

   Synonyms: unparalleled

   Antonyms: ordinary

noun

1. a person or thing having no equal.

   Synonyms: nonesuch

2. a small pellet of colored sugar for decorating candy, cake, and cookies.
3. a flat, round, bite-sized piece of chocolate covered with this sugar.
4. painted bunting ( def ).
5. Printing.
   1. a 6-point type.
   2. a slug occupying 6 points of space between lines.

nonpareil

/ ˌnɒnpəˈreɪl; ˈnɒnpərəl /

noun

1. a person or thing that is unsurpassed or unmatched; peerless example
2. (formerly) a size of printers' type equal to 6 point
3. a small bead of coloured sugar used to decorate cakes, biscuits, etc
4. a flat round piece of chocolate covered with this sugar

adjective

1. having no match or equal; peerless

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonpareil¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English nonparail(le), from Middle French nonpareil, “unrivalled, peerless,” equivalent to non- non- + pareil “equal,” from Vulgar Latin pariculus, Late Latin pāriculus, a diminutive adjective and noun formed from Latin pār (inflectional stem pāri- “equal, an equal”) + -culus diminutive suffix; -cle ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonpareil¹

C15: from French, from non- + pareil same

Example Sentences

But this being a college town, and King’s College Chapel being such a nonpareil work of architecture, the debate over installing panels was long and lively — a heady mix of aesthetics, economics and politics.

From New York Times

Thirty years later, he has gone from carefree racer to world-weary Italian icon, famed for building automobiles whose power, speed and, yes, beauty are nonpareil.

From Los Angeles Times

The renaming announcement quoted Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg praising her close friend as “a law teacher, public servant, legal commentator and jurist nonpareil.”

From New York Times

For a festive coating, roll the truffles in sprinkles — rainbow nonpareils are fun here.

From Washington Post

His years in Washington, from 1978 to 1988, formed the centerpiece of his legacy and one in which he cemented his reputation as a nonpareil talent scout.

From Washington Post