Paramount
adjective /ˈpær.ə.maʊnt/ — Of supreme importance or authority
Definition
More important than anything else; supreme — used to indicate that something takes precedence over everything else in consideration or hierarchy.
Beyond the definition
The weight of the word that settles all other arguments. Paramount ends the conversation about priority.
Origin & history
From Old French 'par amount' — 'par' (by) + 'amont' (above). The person par amount was the one above all others in the feudal hierarchy.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Accuracy is paramount — everything else is secondary until that is right.
Her wellbeing was paramount to him, which meant he sometimes made decisions she didn't understand at the time.
When everything is paramount, nothing is. The word must be used sparingly to mean anything.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Paramount” when the meaning fits your context: More important than anything else; supreme — used to indicate that something takes precedence over everything else in consideration or hierarchy.
Synonyms
supreme, foremost, preeminent, primary, highest
Antonyms
secondary, minor, negligible, subordinate
Related words
- preeminent
- authoritative
- essential
- pivotal
Questions about this word
What does "Paramount" mean?
Paramount is adjective meaning: Of supreme importance or authority. More important than anything else; supreme — used to indicate that something takes precedence over everything else in consideration or hierarchy.
Where does the word "Paramount" come from?
From Old French 'par amount' — 'par' (by) + 'amont' (above). The person par amount was the one above all others in the feudal hierarchy.