Hi,
How would you call a person who you look up to? Who gives a way a great example to you how to live your life etc?
I hope, all you get what I mean.
I am a very honest and courteous person. Why? Because my mother set an example for me. She was my exemplar.
“role model” specifically means someone you look to as an example of how to live your life
Many thanks to both of you!!! I’ve heard of role model, but this was in my passive vocab. I didn’t know about the other one, since I haven’t been in a situation so far where I could’ve used it.
Thank you again. I think I will use both.
(I hadn’t seen James’s response when I posted mine.) In everyday language, “role model” is more common. “exemplar” is a very good word, and certainly no reason not to use it, but it is more formal and “difficult”, and rarely encountered in conversation.
Hi Dozy,
What about “paragon”?
Can we say “he’s a paragon of human behavior” or “he’s a paragon of how to live your life”?
thanks!
‘Paragon’ goes up several notches and doesn’t necessarily suggest someone you follow. It means someone of the highest standards. It’s often used in this well known expression ’ a paragon of virtue’ - someone who is of the highest moral standards.
Hi Alan,
Thank you for the explanation!