par excellence — used after a noun to indicate that someone or something is the best or most typical example of its kind; quintessential
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: used after a noun to indicate that someone or something is the best or most typical example of its kind; quintessential
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌpɑːr ˌek.səˈlɑːns/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother's kimchi is spicy food par excellence — nothing else even comes close.
- Einstein is considered a genius par excellence in the history of science.
- My cat is a napper par excellence; she's slept 20 hours today.
par excellence
ADJECTIVE[/ˌpɑːr ˌek.səˈlɑːns/]
used after a noun to indicate that someone or something is the best or most typical example of its kind; quintessential

The old maestro's violin solo was elegance par excellence.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Borrowed directly from French 'par excellence', literally 'by excellence', derived from Latin 'per excellentiam' meaning 'through excellence'.
Breakdown
par- (French: by/through) + excellence (French/Latin: superiority, distinction)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother's kimchi is spicy food par excellence — nothing else even comes close.”
“Einstein is considered a genius par excellence in the history of science.”
“My cat is a napper par excellence; she's slept 20 hours today.”
“Paris is, par excellence, the city of romance.”
“He's a procrastinator par excellence — he'll even delay eating dessert.”
📚Related Words
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