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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.
💡 Concept

The old maestro's violin solo was elegance par excellence.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌpɑːr ˌek.səˈlɑːns/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌpɑː ˌek.səˈlɒ̃s/

🌳Etymology

Prefixpar-
Rootexcellence

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

excellence
eloquence

🔗Collocations

diplomat par excellence
artist par excellence
example par excellence
the par excellence choice
a leader par excellence
wine region par excellence
par excellence in his field

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“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.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat is a napper par excellence; she's slept 20 hours today.”

“Paris is, par excellence, the city of romance.”

😄 Fun example

“He's a procrastinator par excellence — he'll even delay eating dessert.”

📚Related Words

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