paragon

1 of 2

noun

par·​a·​gon ˈper-ə-ˌgän 

-gən,

ˈpa-rə-

: a model of excellence or perfection

was a paragon of goodness

a paragon of a wife

paragon

2 of 2

verb

paragoned; paragoning; paragons

transitive verb

1

: to compare with : parallel

2

: to put in rivalry : match

3

obsolete : surpass

Did you know?

Paragon Has Old Italian and Greek Roots

Paragon derives from the Old Italian word paragone, which literally means "touchstone." A touchstone is a black stone that was formerly used to judge the purity of gold or silver. The metal was rubbed on the stone and the color of the streak it left indicated its quality. In modern English, both touchstone and paragon have come to signify a standard against which something should be judged. Ultimately, paragon comes from the Greek parakonan, meaning "to sharpen," from the prefix para- ("alongside of") and akonē, meaning "whetstone."

Synonyms

Noun

• beau ideal
• classic
• eidolon
• exemplar
• idea
• ideal
• model
• nonesuch
• nonpareil
• patron saint

Examples of paragon in a Sentence

Noun

in Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad is depicted as the one knight who is a paragon of virtue

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jo Malone London, $250 A paragon of elegance, Jo Malone London keeps that standard while bringing a festive element to its Gingerbread Land Home Candle Trio. —Emma Sandler, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Ever since her impossibly chic wedding in the south of France in spring 2023, Sofia Richie Grainge has become something of a paragon of elegant, classic style. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2024

Amazon was once hailed as the paragon of a rock-solid corporate culture that had both universal buy-in from employees and the ability to deliver results. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024

The West, defaulting to this idealized imagery, has viewed Japan’s design sensibilities over time as a paragon of elevated taste and meticulous minimalism. —Longreads, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Old Italian paragone, literally, touchstone, from paragonare to test on a touchstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen, from para- + akonē whetstone, from akē point; akin to Greek akmē point — more at edge

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1548, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing paragon

• paragon of virtue

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Kids Definition

paragon

noun

par·​a·​gon

ˈpar-ə-ˌgän,

-gən

: a model of excellence or perfection