Blue-ribbon
adj.capable, joyfulformal
What it means
Recognized as outstanding in quality or rank.
Reach for it when praising an award-winning example or distinguished group
A blue-ribbon panel proposed a practical route through the dispute.
Choose between these
6- everyday
plain strong praise suits a product or result
not when Top-quality says nothing about formal recognition.
- professional
the subject has received a named award
not when Award-winning can include a minor prize and does not establish the highest quality.
- professional
the exact competition rank is known
not when First-place is wrong for a distinguished committee or unranked example.
- professional
prizewinning
a recognized competition award is factual
not when Prizewinning requires an actual prize, while blue-ribbon can be figurative.
- formal
the subject offers a model others should follow
not when Exemplary emphasizes conduct or standard, not competitive rank.
- literary
high distinction deserves polished concise wording
not when Premier may be branding rather than a verified quality judgment.
Said against
3- second-rate
- unremarkable
- substandard
It naturally appears in
3- blue-ribbon panel
The blue-ribbon panel included tenants as well as technical experts.
- blue-ribbon winner
The blue-ribbon winner shared her seed stock with neighboring growers.
- blue-ribbon quality
Blue-ribbon quality came from careful curing rather than elaborate packaging.