nonpareil

/ˌˈnɑnpəˌˈrɛl/

Other forms: nonpareils

Use nonpareil to describe someone or something that is beyond compare, an absolute model of perfection of a particular thing. Jane Austen was a writer nonpareil, and James Bond a spy nonpareil.

Coming from the medieval French words non, meaning "not," and pareil, meaning "equal," so quite literally it means "not equal" or "unequaled." Like a lot of fancy French terms adopted by the English language (e.g., "bons mots," "eminence gris"), the use of nonpareil is generally restricted to written form. Use with caution.

Definitions of nonpareil

1. noun

   model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
   synonyms: apotheosis, ideal, nonesuch, nonsuch, paragon, saint

   types:

   jimdandy, jimhickey

   someone excellent of their kind

   class act

   someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence

   humdinger

   someone of remarkable excellence

   type of:

   model, role model

   someone worthy of imitation
2. adjective

   eminent beyond or above comparison
   “the team's nonpareil center fielder”

   synonyms: matchless, one, one and only, peerless, unmatchable, unmatched, unrivaled, unrivalled

   incomparable, uncomparable

   such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared
3. noun

   colored beads of sugar used as a topping on e.g. candies and cookies
   type of:

   confection, sweet

   a food rich in sugar
4. noun

   a flat disk of chocolate covered with beads of colored sugar
   type of:

   chocolate candy

   candy made with chocolate