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

That’s the view of Ord Minnett, which trims price targets on several stocks in Australia’s healthcare sector, including Ebos, Paragon Care and Australian Clinical Labs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Some of those companies are based in the U.S., while others, like Israeli spyware maker Paragon, are based overseas.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2026

“Iger was really the visionary deal maker and the global brand quarterback,” said Bill Campbell, head of research for Paragon Intel in Connecticut.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

At one point in the late morning, the Paragon security guards came in and decided that the waiting room was too full.

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2025

“I am Masterji Thakur. Your first introduction to the Paragon of Taste. I will be teaching you about elixirs, unlocking the power of three-thousand-year-old spices and how they aid in marvelling. The tongue tells truth!”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• apotheosis
• epitome
• exemplar