paramount
gb/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt/ us/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt/
B2
English
~ 7700
legfontosabb, elsődleges, legfőbb, legfelsőbb, legfőbb vezető, főtörzsfőnök
B2
FORMAL
1
legfontosabb
A2
elsődleges
B2
Usage pattern:
be paramount to [someone]/[something]
Patient safety is of paramount importance in this hospital.
Ebben a kórházban a betegek biztonsága elsődleges fontosságú.
For many voters, the economy is paramount when choosing a candidate.
Sok választó számára a gazdaság a legfontosabb szempont, amikor jelöltet választ.
Protecting the environment should be paramount in any development plan.
In this negotiation, trust is paramount to both sides.
Data privacy is paramount for companies that handle personal information.
Learner examples
Your health is paramount, so please rest.
Az egészséged a legfontosabb, ezért kérlek, pihenj.
In this job, safety is paramount for all workers.
Ebben a munkában minden dolgozó biztonsága elsődleges.
For me, my children’s happiness is paramount.
Honesty is paramount in a close relationship.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "paramount" before a noun without realizing it already means "most important" and then add "most" again (e.g., *"the most paramount reason"*). This is redundant; say either "the paramount reason" or "the most important reason." They may also overuse it in very casual conversation, where simpler words like "very important" or "key" sound more natural.
Meaning
more important than anything else
Collocations
of paramount importance
|paramount concern
|paramount consideration
|paramount importance
|paramount role
|paramount significance
Synonyms
overriding (Stresses that this thing takes priority over all others, often in decisions.)
|
chief (Common and slightly less formal; focuses on being the main or primary thing.)
|
supreme (Suggests the very highest level; can sound more dramatic or emphatic than "paramount".)
Antonyms
secondary (Describes something of lesser or supporting importance, the opposite of being most important.)
|
minor (Emphasizes that something is not very important compared to others.)
Themes
evaluation
|work
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
More important than all other things.
More important than anything else; having the highest priority or importance.
C1
LITERARY
2
legfőbb
B2
legfelsőbb
B2
Usage pattern:
be paramount in [a place/field]
Under the new constitution, the federal government became paramount in matters of defense.
Az új alkotmány értelmében védelmi ügyekben a szövetségi kormányé lett a legfőbb hatalom.
During that period, the emperor was paramount over all regional lords.
Abban az időszakban a császár minden helyi főúr fölött állt.
The court confirmed that Parliament is paramount in the country’s political system.
Learner examples
In this small kingdom, the king was paramount.
Ebben a kis királyságban a királyé volt a legfőbb hatalom.
The central government became paramount after the war.
A háború után a központi kormány vált a legfőbb hatalommá.
For many years, one company was paramount in the oil industry.
Meaning
having supreme power or authority
Collocations
paramount ruler
|paramount chief
|paramount power
|paramount leader
Synonyms
sovereign (Stresses legal or political independence and supreme authority, especially of a ruler or state.)
|
supreme (Highlights being the highest in rank or power, not just importance.)
Antonyms
subordinate (Describes a person or group that is lower in rank or under the authority of someone else.)
Themes
politics
|history
|law
Definition
Having the highest power or control over others in a place or group.
Having supreme power or authority over all others in a particular area or domain.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
3
főtörzsfőnök
C2
Usage pattern:
the paramount of [a place/a people]
The paramount of the island negotiated directly with the colonial governor.
A sziget legfőbb vezetője közvetlenül a gyarmati kormányzóval tárgyalt.
Each valley had its own chieftain, but all answered to a single paramount.
Minden völgynek megvolt a maga törzsfőnöke, de mindannyian egyetlen legfőbb vezetőnek engedelmeskedtek.
Legends tell of a paramount who united the warring tribes.
Learner examples
The paramount ruled over many smaller chiefs.
A legfőbb vezető sok kisebb törzsfőnök fölött uralkodott.
People came from many villages to speak with the paramount.
Sok faluból érkeztek emberek, hogy beszéljenek a legfőbb vezetővel.
In the story, the paramount makes the final decision.
Meaning
a supreme ruler or authority
Collocations
tribal paramount
|the paramount of the clan
|the paramount of the region
Synonyms
overlord (A ruler who has power over other rulers or lords, often in a historical or literary context.)
Antonyms
subject (A person who lives under the authority of a ruler, the opposite role of a supreme ruler.)
Themes
history
|politics
Definition
A ruler who has the highest power over other leaders.
A person who holds the highest rank or supreme authority, especially a ruler or leader over other chiefs or leaders.
Grammar
Dictionary form
paramount
IPA
GB/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt/
US/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt/
Syllables & stress
para - mount (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (para)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: paramount
Word family
Advanced or less common
paramountcy
noun
Expressions
of paramount importance
1/əv pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt ɪmpˈɔɹtəns/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely important; above all else
More important than anything else.
Examples
- Protecting children online is of paramount importance to parents and schools.
- In this role, clear communication is of paramount importance.
- The report states that transparency is of paramount importance for public trust.
paramount chief
1/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt t͡ʃˈif/
fixed phrase
technical
chief with authority over other chiefs
A traditional leader who is above other chiefs in power.
Examples
- The paramount chief signed the agreement on behalf of all local leaders.
- Under colonial rule, taxes were often collected through the paramount chief.
- The council is headed by a paramount chief chosen from the royal family.
paramount concern
1/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt kənsˈɚn/
fixed phrase
formal
most important worry or issue
The most important worry or issue.
Examples
- Customer safety is our paramount concern.
- For many parents, their children’s education is a paramount concern.
- Security remains a paramount concern for the organizers of the event.
paramount consideration
1/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt kənsˌɪdɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
most important factor to consider
The main thing that you must think about first.
Examples
- The welfare of the child is the paramount consideration in custody cases.
- When planning the mission, crew safety was the paramount consideration.
- Cost is important, but quality should be the paramount consideration.
paramount importance
1/pˈɛɹəmˌaʊnt ɪmpˈɔɹtəns/
fixed phrase
formal
state of being extremely important
The condition of being extremely important.
Examples
- Access to clean water is of paramount importance for public health.
- The minister stressed the paramount importance of regional stability.
- We recognize the paramount importance of protecting user data.