paramount

¹

[ par-uh-mount ]

adjective

1. chief in importance or impact; supreme; preeminent:

   a point of paramount significance.

   Antonyms: unimportant

2. above others in rank or authority; superior in power or jurisdiction.

noun

1. a supreme ruler; overlord.

Paramount

²

[ par-uh-mount ]

noun

1. a city in SW California, near Los Angeles.

paramount

/ ˈpærəˌmaʊnt /

adjective

1. of the greatest importance or significance; pre-eminent

noun

1. rare.
   a supreme ruler

Derived Forms

• ˈparaˌmountcy, noun
• ˈparaˌmountly, adverb

Other Words From

• para·mountcy noun
• para·mountly adverb
• super·para·mount adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paramount¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Anglo-French paramont “above,” from par per- + amont “upward, above” (from Latin ad montem “to the mountain”; ad-, mount ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of paramount¹

C16: via Anglo-Norman from Old French paramont, from par by + -amont above, from Latin ad montem to the mountain

Synonym Study

See dominant.

Example Sentences

Scott’s “Gladiator II” from Paramount Pictures is the latest sequel to return after a decades-long hiatus.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eddie Murphy-led “Coming 2 America” — which came in 2021, 33 years after the original — brought back many of its cast members but was limited to a streaming audience after its original theatrical distributor, Paramount Pictures, sold the film to Prime Video due to the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gladiator II,” the enjoyably dumb sequel to the brawny Ridley Scott epic that won the best picture Oscar nearly a quarter-century ago, has just finished its premiere screening on the Paramount Pictures lot.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m talking with a Paramount publicist who is giving me a history lesson on how the Romans filled the Colosseum with water in order to stage a naval battle.

From Los Angeles Times

Although Wilson will always be associated with the gullible and weaselly Dwight Schrute on NBC’s “The Office,” and Mandvi recently won a devoted fan following for his portrayal of the science-minded skeptic Ben Shakir in “Evil” on Paramount+, both men refer to theater as their first — and biggest — love.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• outstanding
• predominant
• preeminent