paragon

American  

[par-uh-gon, -guhn] / ˈpær əˌgɒn, -gən /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈpærəɡən /

noun

1. a model of excellence; pattern

   a paragon of virtue

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

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verb

1. archaic

   1. to equal or surpass

   2. to compare

   3. to regard as a paragon

Other Word Forms

• paragonless adjective

Etymology

Origin of paragon

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”

Explanation

Paragon applies to someone who is a model of perfection in some quality or trait. We link paragon with other words that follow it, such as "paragon of virtue" or "paragon of patience." A paragon means someone or something that is the very best. The English noun paragon comes from the Italian word paragone, which is a touchstone, a black stone that is used to tell the quality of gold. You rub the gold on the touchstone and you can find out how good the gold is. You are hoping that it is the paragon of "goldness."

Example Sentences

Just two days earlier, I’d been on the slopes in Vermont fancying myself a paragon of wellness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Stephen Colbert doesn’t see himself as a paragon of progressivism.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2025

It’s worth noting that Weiss herself does not appear to be a paragon of newsroom professionalism.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

When he eventually signed on for a superhero film, it was, fittingly, alongside Captain America, that upright paragon of virtue — and Redford played the villain.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

If Harry Gordon was such a paragon of looks and enterprise, why had he selected her?

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• apotheosis
• epitome
• exemplar