nonpareil

[non-puh-rel]

adjective

1. having no equal; peerless.

   Synonyms: unparalleled
   Antonyms: ordinary

noun

1. a person or thing having no equal.

   Synonyms: nonesuch

2. a small pellet of colored sugar for decorating candy, cake, and cookies.

3. a flat, round, bite-sized piece of chocolate covered with this sugar.

4. painted bunting.

5. Printing.

   1. a 6-point type.

   2. a slug occupying 6 points of space between lines.

nonpareil

/ ˌnɒnpəˈreɪl, ˈnɒnpərəl /

noun

1. a person or thing that is unsurpassed or unmatched; peerless example

2. (formerly) a size of printers' type equal to 6 point

3. a small bead of coloured sugar used to decorate cakes, biscuits, etc

4. a flat round piece of chocolate covered with this sugar

adjective

1. having no match or equal; peerless

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonpareil¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English nonparail(le), from Middle French nonpareil, “unrivalled, peerless,” equivalent to non- non- + pareil “equal,” from Vulgar Latin pariculus, Late Latin pāriculus, a diminutive adjective and noun formed from Latin pār (inflectional stem pāri- “equal, an equal”) + -culus diminutive suffix; -cle ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonpareil¹

C15: from French, from _non- + pareil same

Example Sentences

But this being a college town, and King’s College Chapel being such a nonpareil work of architecture, the debate over installing panels was long and lively — a heady mix of aesthetics, economics and politics.

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Thirty years later, he has gone from carefree racer to world-weary Italian icon, famed for building automobiles whose power, speed and, yes, beauty are nonpareil.

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The renaming announcement quoted Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg praising her close friend as “a law teacher, public servant, legal commentator and jurist nonpareil.”

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For a festive coating, roll the truffles in sprinkles — rainbow nonpareils are fun here.

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His years in Washington, from 1978 to 1988, formed the centerpiece of his legacy and one in which he cemented his reputation as a nonpareil talent scout.

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