par excellence

adjective

par ex·​cel·​lence ˈpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläns  ˈpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläⁿs 

: being the best of a kind : preeminent

a chef par excellence

Synonyms

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of par excellence in a Sentence

sophisticated cuisine that is obviously the work of a chef par excellence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditionally, that would mean Champagne, the world’s sparkling wine par excellence, synonymous with celebration, luxury, extravagance, etc. Champagne, both the wine and the region, has had few rivals in style and grandeur for generations. —Patrick Comiskey, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Plot your next move with integrated storage value par excellence. —Eric Herzog, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Archimedes’ Cattle Problem A few centuries after Thales, the Greek mathematician par excellence was Archimedes. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024

Especially for Francophiles and lovers of popular music par excellence, his first-ever appearance June 8 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami is not to be missed. —Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, by excellence

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

par excellence

adverb or adjective

par ex·​cel·​lence ˌpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläns 

: in the highest degree : above all others