adjective

paramount

/ˈpærəmaʊnt/ · say it: PAR·uh·mount

more important than anything else; supreme

In Sophisticated Everyday

of chief importance

In Formal & Academic

In more detail

1. (adjective) more important than anything else; supreme

2. (adjective) of the highest rank or authority

Examples

1. Safety is paramount in our workplace.
2. The paramount leader made the final decision.

How to use paramount

Paramount emphasizes supreme importance or highest rank, typically in formal or serious contexts. It is stronger than 'important' and often used when something outweighs all other considerations. It differs from 'supreme' by being more commonly applied to practical concerns and duties rather than absolute rank.

Common phrases

of paramount importance
paramount concern
paramount consideration
paramount authority
paramount interest

Synonyms

supreme · preeminent · foremost · dominant · principal

Opposites

minor · subordinate · secondary

Word family

paramountcy

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use paramount as a verb or adverb, but it functions only as an adjective in modern English.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD