paramount

/ˈpærəmaʊnt/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈɛrəmˌaʊnt] /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ (ame, ipa) · [pˈɛrəmˌaʊnt] /ˈper-ə-ˌmau̇nt ˈpa-rə-/ (ame, mw)

paramount — adjective

  • paramountpositive
  • more paramountcomparative
  • most paramountsuperlative

1. ranking above every other concern, so that nothing else should be allowed to pus

1.形容詞C2
釋義

ranking above every other concern, so that nothing else should be allowed to push it aside.

例句

At the children's hospital, patient safety is paramount during every operation.

predicative pattern: [noun] is paramount

For the rescue team on Mount Fuji, the climbers' lives were of paramount importance.

fixed phrase: of paramount importance

同義詞
  • supreme

    stresses the highest level reached, often dramatic

  • overriding

    emphasises that the concern cancels out competing ones

  • foremost

    first in order or rank, slightly less formal

反義詞
  • secondary

    less important than something else

  • trivial

    so unimportant it can be ignored

文法句型

[noun] is paramount

of paramount + abstract noun

用法筆記

Strongly preferred in predicative position ('X is paramount') or in the fixed phrase 'of paramount importance'. Subjects are usually abstract nouns such as safety, honesty, secrecy, quality, or welfare.

常見錯誤

❌This is a paramount problem we must solve.
✅Solving this problem is paramount.
💡paramount sounds awkward as a plain modifier before a regular noun; place it after 'be' or use 'of paramount importance'.

2. holding a position of authority that no one else in the group stands above; used

2.形容詞C2
釋義

holding a position of authority that no one else in the group stands above; used of rulers, chiefs, or leaders at the top of a hierarchy.

例句

The paramount chief of the village settled disputes between the four neighbouring clans.

attributive: paramount + chief

For decades, General Soto remained the paramount leader of the rebel army.

attributive: paramount + leader

同義詞
  • supreme

    interchangeable for 'supreme leader / supreme authority'

  • sovereign

    stresses independence from any higher power

  • preeminent

    highest in rank by reputation or skill

反義詞
  • subordinate

    lower in rank, taking orders from someone above

  • junior

    lower in position within the same hierarchy

文法句型

paramount + [leader/ruler/chief]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always sits before a noun describing a person or office (chief, leader, ruler) or 'power'/'authority'. Sense 1 sits after 'be' and describes how important something is, not who is in charge.

常見錯誤

❌The CEO is paramount in this company.
✅The CEO holds paramount authority in this company.
💡for the rank sense, place 'paramount' before a noun like authority, power, leader, or chief, not after 'be'.