paramount
/ˈpær.ə.maʊnt/More important than everything else. When something is paramount, it must be treated as the top priority above all other things.
- Safety is of paramount importance on any construction site.
- The student's well-being is paramount to every teacher.
- Finishing on time was paramount to the project's success.
Adinary Nuance
Paramount sits in a cluster with supreme, foremost, primary, and chief — but each one has a different feel. Supreme usually describes rank in a system (a supreme court, a supreme ruler), while paramount is about urgency and priority: it signals that nothing else even comes close in importance. Primary and chief are more neutral and everyday ("my primary concern"), whereas paramount is more emphatic and formal — it raises the stakes. Foremost is similar to paramount but slightly softer; you would say "a foremost scientist" to mean a leading one, but "of paramount importance" to mean nothing matters more. In IELTS and academic writing, paramount is a strong choice when you want to stress that one thing outweighs all others.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Tối quan trọng
- Spanish
- Primordial
- Chinese
- 至关重要的
- Japanese
- 最も重要な
- Korean
- 가장 중요한
Etymology
From Old French "paramont," meaning "above," combining "par" (by) and "amont" (upward), itself from Latin "ad montem" (toward the mountain). Entered English in the 16th century, first in the sense of superior rank, then shifting to its modern meaning of supreme importance.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'paramount' formal or informal?
- 'Paramount' is formal. It is common in academic writing, business reports, legal documents, and IELTS essays. In casual conversation, people more often say 'most important' or 'top priority' instead.
- What is the difference between 'paramount' and 'supreme'?
- 'Supreme' typically refers to the highest rank in a system, like a supreme court or a supreme leader. 'Paramount' focuses on importance and priority — it means nothing else matters as much. You would say 'of paramount importance,' not usually 'of supreme importance,' in modern English.
- Can I use 'paramount' in an IELTS essay?
- Yes, and it works very well. Phrases like 'of paramount importance' or 'the paramount concern' show a strong command of formal vocabulary. Just make sure the context calls for strong emphasis — don't use it where 'important' alone would do.
- Can 'paramount' be used as a noun?
- Very rarely and only in archaic or historical contexts, where it meant a lord or chief. In all modern usage, 'paramount' is an adjective. Stick to using it to describe nouns: 'a paramount duty,' 'of paramount importance.'