paragon

American  

[par-uh-gon, -guhn] / ˈpær əˌgɒn, -gən /

noun

paragons plural

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

Derived Forms

• paragonless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• paragons
  plural

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

Last year, DHS reactivated a $2 million contract with the U.S. subsidiary of Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions, which makes Graphite, a hacking tool that can infiltrate encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and WhatsApp.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 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

The Paragon Institute offers a helpful chart showing that expiring pandemic subsidies are responsible for about 3% of total 2026 premiums.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

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

Older trainees sat in risers and held banners representing each Paragon.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• apotheosis
• epitome
• exemplar