par excellence

[ pahr ek-suh-lahns, ek-suh-lans; French pa-rek-se-lahns ]

adjective

1. being an example of excellence; superior; preeminent (used postpositively):

   a chef par excellence.

adverb

1. above all; preeminently.

   His method stands par excellence as the most reliable of all.

par excellence

/ pɑːr ˈɛksələns; par ɛksɛlɑ̃s /

adverb

1. to a degree of excellence; beyond comparison

   she is the charitable lady par excellence

Word History and Origins

Origin of par excellence¹

From French

Word History and Origins

Origin of par excellence¹

literally: by (way of) excellence

Example Sentences

The director of the Colosseum Archeological Park, which includes the Palatine Hill, in a written description of the restored palazzo, dubbed it “the power palace par excellence.”

From Seattle Times

Make no mistake: This is all part of DeSantis’ effort to make himself look like a culture warrior par excellence, with no goal other than to obtain the GOP’s presidential nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

“We have contaminated things par excellence, and only by accepting mixture do we become ourselves and our own. There’s not a single sci-fi concept we haven’t taken and adapted to our context, turned mestizo‌.”

From New York Times

His critique of the religious impulse, his deep interest in the human mind and his compulsive correspondence with peers, building connections, are all humanistic activities par excellence.

From Washington Post

In either case, the AR-15 is the weapon par excellence of the “slow civil war.”

From Washington Post