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

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

Word Origin and History for paragon

paragon

1540s, from Middle French paragon "a model, pattern of excellence" (15c., Modern French parangon), from Italian paragone, originally "touchstone to test gold" (early 14c.), from paragonare "to test on a touchstone, compare," from Greek parakonan "to sharpen, whet," from para- "on the side" (see para- (1)) + akone "whetstone," from PIE root *ak- "sharp, pointed" (see acrid).