paragon
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Literary, Elevated
Definition
Meaning
A perfect example of a particular quality; a model of excellence.
A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality; someone or something of supreme excellence, virtue, or beauty, often used as a standard to emulate. Historically, also referred to a flawless diamond of 100 carats or more.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies an unsurpassed standard and is often hyperbolic. It is typically used in formal praise, criticism (by comparing something unfavourably to a paragon), or in historical/artistic contexts. It can refer to both abstract qualities (e.g., virtue) and concrete persons or things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. It is a formal, low-frequency word used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally formal and somewhat archaic or literary in both dialects. It carries connotations of idealism, perfection, and sometimes unattainable standards.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, found more in written texts than in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/consider/regard/hold up as] a paragon of [abstract noun (e.g., virtue)]paragon of [abstract noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a paragon of virtue (a fixed, common phrase)”
- “held up as a paragon”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear in formal corporate literature describing an ideal company or leader (e.g., 'a paragon of corporate governance').
Academic
Found in literary criticism, history, philosophy, and ethics to describe idealized figures or concepts.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used humorously or sarcastically (e.g., 'He's no paragon of punctuality').
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields. Obsolete use in gemology for a large, flawless diamond.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic/Obsolete) To compare or parallel; to rival. Not used in modern English.
American English
- (Archaic/Obsolete) To compare or parallel; to rival. Not used in modern English.
adverb
British English
- (Non-standard) 'Paragon' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- (Non-standard) 'Paragon' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- (Non-standard) 'Paragon' is not used as a standard adjective.
American English
- (Non-standard) 'Paragon' is not used as a standard adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is a paragon of kindness.
- The ancient hero was seen as a paragon of courage and strength.
- The company was held up as a paragon of ethical business practices, though recent scandals have tarnished that image.
- In Renaissance art, the Virgin Mary was frequently depicted as the paragon of maternal virtue and divine grace, a symbol for all women to emulate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a perfect pair of a gun (PARA-GON). The perfect pair is the model of how guns should be made—a paragon of craftsmanship.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERFECTION IS A PHYSICAL MODEL/STANDARD (e.g., held up as a paragon, a shining example).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'парагон' (несуществующее слово) или 'парагоновый' (от 'парагон' – поддельный алмаз, устар.).
- Основной перевод: 'образец (совершенства)', 'эталон', 'воплощение' (чего-либо хорошего). Не является прямым синонимом 'пример' (example) или 'модель' (model) в нейтральном контексте.
- В русском часто требует поясняющего родительного падежа: 'парáгон добродетели' (образец добродетели).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in informal contexts where 'perfect example' or 'role model' would be more natural.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈpærəɡɒn/ (stressing the second syllable) or /pəˈræɡən/.
- Misspelling as 'parragon' or 'paragorn'.
- Using it without the necessary 'of' construction (e.g., 'He is a paragon' is incomplete; typically 'He is a paragon of integrity').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'paragon' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word primarily found in written English, literature, and formal speech.
Not directly. The word itself denotes perfection. However, it is often used in negative or sarcastic constructions (e.g., 'He's no paragon of virtue') or to highlight a contrast with reality.
The most common mistake is omitting the required 'of' phrase, leaving the sentence feeling incomplete. It almost always appears as 'a paragon of [something]'.
It comes from the Italian 'paragone' (touchstone, a stone used to test the purity of gold), which in turn comes from the Greek 'parakonán' (to sharpen, whet). The original sense was of a 'test' or 'comparison', which evolved into the 'model of excellence' we know today.
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