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

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

And he pointed to Sweden and Finland, once paragons of pacifism and neutrality but now members of Nato.

From BBC

As the hero of the Ramayana epic, he is a king and a paragon of virtue, exiled from his native Ayodhya, who comes home for a jubilant coronation.

From New York Times

McElroy’s greatest legacy may be her work as a dedicated teacher and mentor for scores of young writers, serving as a paragon for aspiring female poets and poets of color.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• apotheosis
• epitome
• exemplar