paragon

[ par-uh-gon, -guhn ]

noun

1. a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence:

   a paragon of virtue.

   Synonyms: paradigm, exemplar, example, quintessence, epitome, standard, ideal

2. someone of exceptional merit:

   Just who is this paragon whose name is on everyone's lips?

   Synonyms: nonpareil, nonesuch

3. Printing. a 20-point type.
4. an unusually large, round pearl.

verb (used with object)

1. Rare. to compare; parallel.
2. Archaic. to be a match for; rival.
3. Obsolete. to surpass.
4. Obsolete. to regard as a paragon.

paragon

/ ˈpærəɡən /

noun

1. a model of excellence; pattern

   a paragon of virtue

2. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 20 point

verb

1. archaic.
   1. to equal or surpass
   2. to compare
   3. to regard as a paragon

Other Words From

• para·gonless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paragon¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French paragon, parangon “model,” from Old Italian paragone “touchstone,” from paragonare “to compare, test on a touchstone,” from Greek parakonân “to sharpen, whet,” equivalent to para- “beside, alongside” + akonân “to sharpen, whet,” a derivative of akónē “whetstone, bone”

Word History and Origins

Origin of paragon¹

C16: via French from Old Italian paragone comparison, from Medieval Greek parakonē whetstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen against, from para- ¹+ akonan to sharpen, from akonē whetstone

Example Sentences

Written by a team that included Peterson, as well longtime collaborator John Paragon, and legendary drag persona Jackie Beat, it was a nod to Peterson’s 1988 film “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark.”

From Los Angeles Times

In my assessment, the US Jewish community was transformed from a safe and secure community upheld by Jews around the world as a paragon of successful integration and acculturation, to what I would describe as a vulnerable and insecure community today.

From Salon

The Cox family is a paragon of old money and society, especially in Georgia, where their company is headquartered and has wielded power since 1939.

From Seattle Times

"Some upstanding member of the bar... who everyone looks up to as a paragon of legal ethics?"

From BBC

The home also established Johnson himself as the paragon of a specific type of New York architect: erudite, absolutist in his refinement and formidable in his influence wielding, shaping careers, institutions and public opinion like few others in his field.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apotheosis
• epitome
• exemplar