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nonesuch

nonesuch

9.9
A person or thing that is the best and has no equal
  • noun
  • /ˈnʌnˌsʌtʃ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : inigualable
  • In the world of chess, she is considered a nonesuch due to her unparalleled skills.

Examples

  • Her talent for painting makes her a true nonesuch in the art community.

  • He is a nonesuch of kindness, always helping those in need.

  • The nonesuch don't kill birds.

  • "A fugitive Dirdirman, a nomad boy, a mysterious nonesuch: is it not absurd to trick such folk out in noblemen's costume?" Reith laughed.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

ideal
vsnonesuch
241 3.8

A person or thing that is a perfect example to aim for

describes an actual unmatched model rather than an aspirational standard
paragon
vsnonesuch
  • Formal
18 7.8

A person or thing that shows the highest level of quality

is broader, meaning unmatched overall excellence rather than one trait
nonpareil
vsnonesuch
  • Literature
1 9.9

A person or thing that has no equal

is the same in meaning but uses a different word form
nonsuch
vsnonesuch
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing so good that no other equals it

has identical meaning but uses a different spelling variant

Antonyms

31 6.5

A state of being average and not special

17 5.1

A state of being lower than others in ability, status or value

Compounds

A low-growing plant with small yellow flowers and curved black seed pods often found in grass

How Excellent

nonesuch
  • Archaic
9.9
paragon
  • Formal
18 7.8
good example
111 1.4

Surface Forms

nonesuch singular
nonesuches plural

Morphology

nonesuch = none + such (semi-transparent) = none + such

Formed from the recognizable words 'none' + 'such', but the noun meaning 'an unparalleled person or thing' is somewhat idiomatic and not a literal compositional reading.

Etymology

Nonesuch comes from old words no 'not', one 'single' and such 'like that', so it once meant 'there is no one like it'. That's why a nonesuch is something with no equal.