paramount
PA-ruh-mownt
Paramount (adj) means Supreme in importance, rank, or authority; overriding everything else. Example: “Safety is paramount when working with heavy machinery.”
adj
1
Supreme in importance, rank, or authority; overriding everything else.
"Safety is paramount when working with heavy machinery."
"The judge ruled that the child's welfare was of paramount concern."
"Keeping the patient calm is paramount during the long journey to hospital."
noun
1
A supreme ruler or chief, especially one with the highest authority in a region.
"The paramount met with tribal elders to settle the dispute."
"Stories from long ago say the paramount ruled the valley from a hilltop fort."
"As paramount of the region, she was asked to settle every serious quarrel."
How to use paramount
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore important than anything else — the top priority, no exceptions.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the film studio Paramount, which took its name from this word's "supreme, towering" sense.
Common pairings
of paramount importance
paramount concern
paramount authority
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Word forms
- Plural
- paramounts
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Safety is _____ when working with heavy machinery.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman paramount, literally "above" — from Old French par ("by, through") + amont ("upward, toward the mountain"). The sense of "supreme" grew naturally out of "above everything else."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for paramount
See all rhymes for paramount →Frequently asked questions
What does “paramount” mean?
The word “paramount” means supreme in importance, rank, or authority; overriding everything else. In plain terms, more important than anything else — the top priority, no exceptions.
How do you pronounce “paramount”?
“Paramount” is pronounced PA-ruh-mownt (/ˈpæɹəˌmaʊnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “paramount” in a sentence?
Here is “paramount” used in a sentence: “Safety is paramount when working with heavy machinery.”
What part of speech is “paramount”?
Depending on how it is used, “paramount” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “paramount” come from?
The word “paramount” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman paramount, literally "above" — from Old French par ("by, through") + amont ("upward, toward the mountain"). The sense of "supreme" grew naturally out of "above everything else.".
Is “paramount” a common word?
“Paramount” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “paramount” have?
“Paramount” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: supreme in importance, rank, or authority; overriding everything else.
What is the difference between paramount and important?
Paramount means supreme in importance, ranking above everything else, while important simply indicates something matters without implying it outranks all other concerns. Something described as paramount is treated as the single most critical factor, not just one important one among several.
Is paramount formal or informal in register?
Paramount is a formal word, commonly found in legal, official, and academic writing, such as "the safety of the public is paramount." It would sound unusually stiff in casual conversation, where "most important" or "top priority" is more natural.
Can paramount be used as a noun as well as an adjective?
Yes, besides its common use as an adjective meaning supreme in importance, paramount can also function as a noun referring to a supreme ruler or chief with the highest authority in a region. The noun usage is far less common than the adjective.
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