paragon

[ par-uh-gon, -guh n ]

/ ˈpær əˌgɒn, -gən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR paragon ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence: a paragon of virtue.

someone of exceptional merit: Just who is this paragon whose name is on everyone's lips?

Printing. a 20-point type.

an unusually large, round pearl.

verb (used with object)

Rare. to compare; parallel.

Archaic. to be a match for; rival.

Obsolete. to surpass.

Obsolete. to regard as a paragon.

Nearby words

paragliding, paraglyph printing, paragnathous, paragoge, paragogic, paragon, paragonimiasis, paragonimus, paragonimus westermani, paragonite, paragould

Origin of paragon

1540–50; < Middle French < Old Italian paragone comparison, perhaps < Greek parágōn, present participle of parágein ‘to bring side by side’

Related formspar·a·gon·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for paragon

The Ralph Retort, a paragon of ethical journalism websites, decided to make crowdsourcing stuff to discredit me into a project.
Rage Against GamerGate’s Hate Machine: What I Got For Speaking Up|Arthur Chu|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Paragon of virtue Oliver North called for charges to be filed against Warner Brothers Music.
A Brief History of the Phrase 'F*ck the Police'|Rich Goldstein|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While Bacall seems like a paragon of cool confidence in the final product, she was a nervous wreck on set.
Bogie & Bacall: A Hollywood Romance for the Ages|Marlow Stern|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The man who holds ABC/ESPN's wacky goulash of World Cup punditry together strikes viewers as a paragon of congeniality.
World Cup Anchor Mike Tirico’s Bizarre History: Reports of Stalking and Sexual Harassment|Marlow Stern|July 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He was a paragon of masculinity—a tall, dark, and impossibly handsome enigma.
What's Happened to Don Draper? Why Everyone’s Favorite ‘Mad Men’ Stud Needs His Mojo Back|Lizzie Crocker|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Paragon stigma were protected from the influence of other pollen by bagging and gave a good set of fruits.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Eleventh Annual Meeting|Various
Of course she was on Reginald's side in the family quarrel, although she was the paid servant of the Foreign Office paragon.
The American Senator|Anthony Trollope
Before dinner that evening there were a few words between the Paragon and his grandmother.
The American Senator|Anthony Trollope
To think that disagreeable new neighbour of hers, must be a paragon of all the virtues!
Two Little Women|Carolyn Wells
I wish I knew the woman who wrote it; she must be a paragon.
Records of Later Life|Frances Ann Kemble

British Dictionary definitions for paragon

paragon

/ (ˈpærəɡən) /

noun

a model of excellence; patterna paragon of virtue

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

verb (tr)

archaic

to equal or surpass
to compare
to regard as a paragon

Word Origin for paragon

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

paragon

noun

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of paragon

Examples from the Web for paragon

British Dictionary definitions for paragon

paragon

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for paragon