blue-ribbon

1 of 2

adjective

blue-rib·​bon ˈblü-ˈri-bən 

: of outstanding quality

especially : consisting of individuals selected for quality, reputation, or authority

a blue-ribbon panel

blue ribbon

2 of 2

noun

1

: an honor or award gained for preeminence

2

: a blue ribbon awarded as an honor (as to the first-place winner in a competition)

Synonyms

Adjective

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• 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]
• par excellence
• 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

Noun

• accolade
• award
• decoration
• distinction
• honor
• kudo
• plume
• premium
• prize

Examples of blue-ribbon in a Sentence

Adjective

your work on this project has been of blue-ribbon quality

Noun

Our pumpkin won the blue ribbon at the county fair this year.

the Pritzker Prize is widely regarded as the ultimate blue ribbon for architectural achievement

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Find your blue-ribbon gifts and set the bar high for next year with our top picks below. —Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024

Entries were reviewed by blue-ribbon jurors that included 300 documentary professionals from more than 40 countries. —Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024

Noun

Tired of the endless arguments, Cerf contacted the head of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and asked him to write a blue ribbon report comparing OSI and TCP/IP. —ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2025

Perhaps a blue ribbon panel could recommend ideas for engaging Cook County votes. —Richard Boykin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1860, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blue-ribbon

• inhibin
• ribbon

Kids Definition

blue ribbon

noun

: a blue ribbon awarded the first-place winner in a competition

Legal Definition

blue-ribbon

adjective

blue-rib·​bon

: consisting of individuals selected for quality, reputation, or authority

a blue-ribbon committee