paragon
/ˈpæɹəɡən/
Group 32Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example GRE
Example in Context
The philanthropist was held up as a paragon of civic virtue, though those who knew her privately noted her very human imperfections.
Synonyms
idealmodelperfect example
Etymology
A touchstone for excellence and perfection.
- paragone (Italian) — touchstone
Memory Aid
🏅Sounds like “pair a gun”
If you try to PAIR A GUN with a gold medal, you might just have found a PARAGON of excellence!
Visual Association
🏆A glowing trophy on a pedestal, shining brightly as the ultimate model of achievement.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “paragon” mean on the GRE?
paragon (noun) means “A model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example”. The philanthropist was held up as a paragon of civic virtue, though those who knew her privately noted her very human imperfections.
How to remember “paragon” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “paragon” sounds like “pair a gun”. If you try to PAIR A GUN with a gold medal, you might just have found a PARAGON of excellence!
What are synonyms for “paragon”?
Common synonyms: ideal, model, perfect example.