paragon

/ˈpɛrəgɑn/

/ˈpɛrəgɒn/

Other forms: paragons

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."

Definitions of paragon

1. noun

   an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
   synonyms: beau ideal, idol, perfection

   types:

   gold standard

   a paragon of excellence

   type of:

   ideal

   the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
2. noun

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