Paramount

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpa.ɹə.maÊŠnt/
• US IPA: /ˈpæ.ɹəˌmaÊŠnt/, /ˈpÉ›.ɹəˌmaÊŠnt/

Origin

From Old French, from par, per ("by") + amont, amount ("above, upward"), from Latin ad montem ("to a mountain"); see amount.

Full definition of paramount

Adjective

1. Supreme; highest; chief.
• Francis BaconA traitor paramount.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 20, The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen....The second note, the high alarum, not so familiar and always important since it indicates the paramount sin in Man's private calendar, took most of them by surprise although they had been well prepared.
2. Of the highest importance.
   Getting those credit cards paid off is paramount.

Synonyms

• highest
• utmost