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par excellence
adjective
par ex·cel·lence
ˈpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläns
ˈpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläⁿs
: being the best of a kind : preeminent
a chef par excellence
Synonyms
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of par excellence in a Sentence
sophisticated cuisine that is obviously the work of a chef par excellence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brazil, India and Nigeria look on as Britain and France, former colonial powers par excellence, remain as two of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2023
Through Khaled’s oddly paralyzed exile, Matar offers a beautifully panoptic portrait of London as the city of literary exile and emigration par excellence, a place where the Arab intelligentsia came in the seventies and eighties and after.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
Suzuki was an artist par excellence because his philosophy towards art was the same as his philosophy towards life.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
For the scientists, the choice of the brain of the house mouse (Mus musculus) is obvious: The rodent is the model organism par excellence in biology and medicine.
—Karin Schlott, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2023
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Founded in 1838, Charvet is a Parisian institution known for outfitting royalty and U.S. presidents with the finest shirting and ties (and pajamas and dressing gowns par excellence).
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
The funniest thing was the arrival of these two assistants, who at that time represented the stars par excellence with their many demands, the difficulties of the crew and the extraordinary whims of Elizabeth Taylor.
—Pino Gagliardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Sep. 2023
This was a globalization story par excellence credited to China’s open-door policy; to the knowledge and expertise of foreign capital; and to the hard work, ingenuity, and vision of Chinese entrepreneurs.
—Yasheng Huang, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2023
Then, of course, came influencer par excellence Marie Antionette, who sparked a craze for lush floral scents and popularized a revolutionary new practice: bathing.
—April Long, Town & Country, 22 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'par excellence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French, literally, by excellence
First Known Use
1695, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near par excellence
Cite this Entry
“Par excellence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/par%20excellence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
par excellence
adverb or adjective
par ex·cel·lence
ˌpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläns
: in the highest degree : above all others
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