Words / C1

PAR-uh-mownt/ˈpærəmaʊnt/

Paramount means more important than anything else: of paramount importance, safety is paramount. Supreme and chief are cousins; important is everyday. Amount is a lookalike. Do not stamp paramount on a branding preference.

Meaning

More important than anything else.

Examples

• “Patient consent is paramount; a tidy graph is not.”
• “Consent is paramount; a tidy colour palette is not.”
• “Of paramount importance is the set phrase. Important is everyday. Paramount as a studio name is not the exam point. Branding is not paramount beside a fire door.”

Good to know

Of first importance. Set phrase: of paramount importance. Everyday: most important. Mix-up: amount. Not a logo choice.

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