Degree & Intensity Vocabulary

more important than anything else; supreme

“Safety is of paramount importance in this industry.”

Origin: Anglo-Norman paramount `superior`, from Old French par `by` + amont `above`

representing the most perfect example of a quality

“She is the quintessential professional.”

Origin: Latin quinta essentia `fifth essence`, from quintus `fifth` + essentia `essence`

showing great skill and flair; complete or perfect

“He was a consummate diplomat who never offended anyone.”

Origin: Latin consummatus `completed`, from consummare `sum up`, from con- `altogether` + summa `sum`

of the highest quality or degree

“Her superlative performance earned a standing ovation.”

Origin: Latin superlativus `carried beyond`, from superferre `carry beyond`, from super- `above` + ferre `carry`

of only moderate quality; not very good

“The film received mediocre reviews from critics.”

Origin: Latin mediocris `of middle height or degree`, from medius `middle` + ocris `rugged mountain`

so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering

“The difference in price is negligible.”

Origin: Latin neglegere `disregard`, from neg- `not` + legere `choose, pick up`

very small; far below the real value or cost

“They charge only a nominal fee for the service.”

Origin: Latin nominalis `relating to names`, from nomen, nomin- `name`

minor and not important; at the edge or limit

“The improvement was marginal at best.”

Origin: Latin marginalis `of a margin`, from margo, margin- `edge, border`

unusually or disproportionately large; excessive

“He spent an inordinate amount of time on trivial details.”

Origin: Latin inordinatus `not arranged`, from in- `not` + ordinatus `ordered`

unreasonably high; exceeding proper limits

“The hotel charges exorbitant prices during peak season.”

Origin: Latin exorbitare `go out of the track`, from ex- `out of` + orbita `track, orbit`

outstandingly bad; shocking

“The report contained egregious errors.”

Origin: Latin egregius `illustrious`, from ex- `out of` + grex, greg- `flock` (originally meant `outstanding`, now negative)

conspicuously or obviously offensive

“The flagrant violation of rules led to disqualification.”

Origin: Latin flagrare `to blaze`, from flagrans, flagrant- `blazing`

severe or bare in appearance; complete and absolute

“The stark contrast between rich and poor was evident.”

Origin: Old English stearc `stiff, rigid`, from Germanic root meaning `strong, rigid`

complete; absolute

“The project was an utter failure.”

Origin: Old English ūtera `outer, comparative of ūt `out` (meaning `complete, thorough` evolved from `outer')

nothing other than; unmitigated

“It was sheer luck that saved them.”

Origin: Middle English schere `free from guilt`, from Old Norse skærr `pure, bright`

experienced or present to the maximum degree

“They lived in abject poverty.”

Origin: Latin abjectus `thrown away`, from abicere `throw away`, from ab- `away` + jacere `to throw`

very great or intense; having deep meaning

“The loss had a profound effect on the family.”

Origin: Latin profundus `deep`, from pro- `before` + fundus `bottom`

present or experienced to a severe degree

“There is an acute shortage of nurses.”

Origin: Latin acutus `sharpened`, from acuere `sharpen`, from acus `needle`

persisting for a long time; constantly recurring

“The region suffers from chronic underinvestment.”

Origin: Greek chronikos `of time`, from chronos `time`

spreading widely throughout an area or group

“Corruption is pervasive in the system.”

Origin: Latin pervasivus, from pervadere `pervade`, from per- `throughout` + vadere `go`

relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something

“Radical changes were needed to save the company.”

Origin: Latin radicalis `of roots`, from radix, radic- `root`

likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect; radical and extreme

“They took drastic measures to cut costs.”

Origin: Greek drastikos `effective, active`, from dran `to do, act`