: a small flat disk of chocolate covered with white sugar pellets
b
: sugar in small pellets of various colors
Did you know?
Trace nonpareil back to its Middle French origins and you'll find that it comes from a term meaning "not equal." Pareil itself comes from a Latin par, which means "equal," and non- is a common prefix meaning "not." In addition to its adjectival use, nonpareil also functions as a noun describing an individual of unequaled excellence ("the nonpareil of cellists"), and as the name of a chocolate candy disk covered with small sugar pellets.
Adjective the nonpareil beauty of Helen of Troy Noun Elvis was the nonpareil of early American rock and roll. among the knights of the Round Table, Galahad stood alone as the nonpareil of nobility and selflessness
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Her knowledge of world events, politics, and power structures was nonpareil. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 He is assisted, as usual, by his nonpareil translator, Shelley Frisch. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 1 June 2022 We’re transported to an elegant, serene, nonpareil shopping journey via the Daatselaar Fine Art & Antiques of Utrecht, the Netherlands, booth at TEFAF Maastricht. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 28 June 2022 There’s balletic and interpretive precision in Comer’s embodiment of Tessa, a courtroom killer of far different intent than her nonpareil television hit woman, Villanelle. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 17 May 2022 His network of contacts is nonpareil; his manner solicitous and genteel; his work ethic fanatical.New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 The Bolshoi Ballet was nonpareil in ballet technique.Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2022 Tom Brady is a Northern California Guy who spent his nonpareil career playing for teams in the Eastern time zone.Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2022 Of course, Becker, along with chef de cuisine Chris Strelnick, need do nothing to the nonpareil Spanish hams beyond slicing them very thin, like the jamon de belotta and paleta Iberico por Cintas jotas ($36 and $21). John Mariani, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021
Noun
Once royal icing is set, use small dab of it to stick on nonpareil for nose. The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, 27 Feb. 2020 While the iced cookies are still wet, attach the small pearl nonpareils. Bh&g Holiday Editors, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2020 Yet the generation that knows Jim Crow America only from hearsay ought to know what Belafonte explicates in this aggrieved, damaged, nonpareil persona. Armond White, National Review, 11 Mar. 2020 Tom Brady has already had the storybook ending to his nonpareil football career. Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Jan. 2020 Decorate cookie with a mix of green nonpareils and jimmies around the outer edge to mimic a wreath. Nancy Stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 Dec. 2019 When cookies are cool, brush tops with glaze and sprinkle with nonpareils. Nancy Stohs, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2019 Owner Carl Fogarty has an impressive collection of antiques, but his treasure trove of vintage maps, currency and books is nonpareil. Claire Goodman, Houston Chronicle, 27 Nov. 2019 Turns out President Trump, that TV addict nonpareil, watches it this way, too. Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2019 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle English nounparalle, from Middle French nompareil, from non- + pareil equal, from Vulgar Latin *pariculus, from Latin par equal