Make Your Point > Archived Issues > UNPARALLELED

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"UNPARALLELED" Meaning: Here's one of those words that's very easy to understand, yet it's worth taking a look at so you can be ready to think of it when you need it. Like parallel lines, one thing that parallels another thing is equal to it: it's equally valuable or equally worthy. So, something unparalleled has no equal. The unparalleled thing is so exceptional, so excellent, and so high-quality that nothing else can be that good. Pronunciation: "UN pair uh LELD" or "un PAIR uh leld" Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "unparalleled effort," 2. After a linking verb, as in "The effort was unparalleled.") Other forms: Dictionaries list "unparalleledly" and "unparalleledness," but aren't they awkward? I recommend only using them if you're joking around. Spelling tip: When you write "parallel," "paralleled," or "unparalleled," remember to double the "l" in the middle of the word. Picture the double "l"s as two parallel lines in the middle of the word. How to use it: "Unparalleled" is visual, dramatic, and fun to say! Talk about unparalleled abilities and talents, unparalleled achievements and accomplishments and success, unparalleled performances and improvements, unparalleled beauty and grace and depth, and so on. (Like with most adjectives, you can use a linking verb instead, as in "his abilities are unparalleled," "their talent was unparalleled," "the achievement remains unparalleled," etc.) For extra drama, put "unparalleled" directly after your noun, without a linking verb, and add a prepositional phrase if you want: "a performance unparalleled in our lifetime," "a maturity unparalleled by his peers." Leaving out any prepositional phrase is extra-extra-dramatic: "creativity unparalleled," "energy unparalleled." With either-or words like "dead," "absent," and "unparalleled," let me recommend that you don't add modifying words like "kind of," "very," "so," or "more." Because something either is or isn't unparalleled, it's unnecessary or illogical to describe something as "sort of unparalleled," "more and more unparalleled," "extremely unparalleled," etc. In her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert exposes the stupidity and silliness of the "suffering artist" lifestyle, but she somehow does it with unparalleled kindness. Fabian's unparalleled cheerfulness impressed me, seeing as he dealt with a stream of cranky customers on the daily. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "unparalleled" means when you can explain it without saying "having no equal" or "unique." Think of a particular city or town that you love, and fill in the blanks: "For its (certain special thing,) (Place) is unparalleled." Example: "For its combination of vibrancy and southern charm, Richmond is unparalleled." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, challenge your powers of memory and recall (or just get ready to reign supreme on Wheel of Fortune) as we play with two-word phrases that you’ll find in a dictionary. We’ll start off with easy tasks and advance to harder ones as the month goes on. See the right answer to each question the following day. You might even see a new phrase that inspires your curiosity and makes you look it up. Have fun! (Note: Every dictionary recognizes a different set of two-word phrases. I used the OED to make these game questions.) Yesterday's question: What word fits into each phrase below? ? box ? ceremony ? fighter ? fighting ? fine ? march ? movement ? papers ? ride ? rider ? scroll ? song ? struggle ? walk ? walker Answer: freedom. Try this one today: Let’s make the game a little harder now. I’ll give you the first word of each phrase, along with plenty of letters in the second word. See how many of them you can think of. cell b__nd_ry cell d__th cell d_v_s__n cell f_s__n cell gr_wth cell l_f_ cell n_tr_t__n cell str_ct_r_ cell typ_ A Point Well Made: Marie Kondo: “Truly precious memories will never vanish even if you discard the objects associated with them.” 1. The closest opposite of UNPARALLELED is A. SKEWED B. COMMON C. LOW 2. Viewers _____ the show with unparalleled _____. A. dismissed .. interest B. embraced .. ardor C. analyzed .. criticism Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B Exploring the archives: Today's "unparalleled" has a close synonym: "in____able," meaning "so excellent that you can't copy it." Could you recall this word? Then pluck off the prefix "in-" to see its opposite, "____able," meaning "so excellent that you should try to copy it."