Words / C2

nonp-uh-RAYL/ˌnɒnpəˈreɪl/

Nonpareil means without equal (literary / formal, sometimes after the noun): a scholar nonpareil, nonpareil skill. Unique (already in the dictionary) is everyday and overused; paragon (already in the dictionary) is a perfect example. Peerless is a close twin. Do not award nonpareil to a keynote that never states the n.

Meaning

Without equal; better than all others of the kind (literary / formal).

Examples

• “A nonpareil keynote does not excuse an empty n.”
• “Unique is everyday (already in the dictionary). A paragon is a model (already in C2). Peerless and unmatched are cousins. Praise the paper after the appendix. A logo is not a laureate. Unrivalled prose still owes a sample-size sentence.”

Good to know

Unrivalled (formal). Everyday: unique / unmatched. Close: paragon (already in C2). A name is not a sample size.

Near in meaning

unmatched

New