paragon
/ˈpærəɡən/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈɛrəɡˌɑn] /ˈpærəɡɑːn/ (ame, ipa) · [pˈɛrəɡˌɑn] /ˈper-ə-ˌgän -gən, ˈpa-rə-/ (ame, mw)
paragon — noun
- paragonsingular
- paragonsplural
1. Someone considered to be a perfect model of a certain admirable quality, or some
Someone considered to be a perfect model of a certain admirable quality, or something that represents the highest standard of its kind.
Hana was considered a paragon of patience by her colleagues at the hospital.
a paragon of [quality] pattern
The old library, with oak shelves and high ceilings, was a paragon of Victorian architecture.
Many parents hold up Joshua as a paragon of good behavior for children to follow.
Selim's essay was a paragon of clear thinking, with every argument carefully explained.
Ada's garden was a paragon of care, with every flower bed perfectly weeded and watered.
- epitome
A perfect example of a quality or type; slightly more common in everyday use than paragon.
- exemplar
A typical or ideal example, used especially in academic or professional writing.
- ideal
A conception of something in its perfect form; more abstract and less tied to a real person or thing.
- model
A person or thing regarded as worthy of imitation; wider in use and less formal.
- antithesis
The direct opposite of a quality or type.
文法句型
a paragon of [quality]
用法筆記
Paragon is typically followed by 'of' and an abstract quality (patience, virtue, honesty). It carries a tone of strong admiration and appears far more often in formal writing and literature than in everyday conversation.