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Perfect Example Crossword Clue – Top Answers for Every Grid

George James Thompson Howard • 2026-05-05 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg






Perfect Example Crossword Clue – Answers for 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Letters

The crossword clue “perfect example” appears across countless puzzles, from quick morning grids to cryptic challenges. Solvers looking for a reliable answer often encounter a handful of standard solutions that vary by letter count. Understanding the most common answers, their meanings, and how they fit different puzzle styles can turn a frustrating blank into a confident fill.

Multiple crossword databases consistently rank EPITOME and PARAGON as the top answers, but shorter options like IDEAL and longer ones like APOTHEOSIS also appear regularly. The clue’s strength lies in its rich set of synonyms, each offering a slightly different shade of meaning while pointing to the same concept: something that represents the highest standard of its kind. According to Dan Word, the clue was last seen in a British quick crossword, and their list includes nine possible solutions.

What Are the Most Common Answers for ‘Perfect Example’?

Perfect Example Crossword Clue – Quick Answers
Category Details
Most Common Answer EPITOME (7 letters)
Other Popular Answers PARAGON (7), IDEAL (5), APOTHEOSIS (10)
Number of Possible Answers 40+ (varies by source)
Common Letter Counts 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Key Insights

  • The clue “perfect example” is a staple of both American and British crosswords, with EPITOME and PARAGON being the most frequent answers across sources.
  • Answers range from 4 letters (ICON) to 14 letters (SHININGEXAMPLE), but 5 to 9 letters dominate daily puzzles.
  • Shorter answers like IDEAL (5) are often used in quick crosswords, while longer words like QUINTESSENCE (12) appear in themeless or advanced grids.
  • Sources such as Wordplays list over 30 answers, reflecting the clue’s versatility.
  • Users frequently search for related clues like “expedite” and “slang for a vehicle,” indicating that solving one clue often leads to others.
  • The Wall Street Journal puzzle favors EPITOME, while Word.tips ranks ARCHETYPE (9) as its top answer.
  • No single definitive answer exists; the correct response depends on the puzzle’s grid constraints and difficulty level.

Key Facts About ‘Perfect Example’

Fact Source
The clue appears in British quick crosswords, Times Concise, and many American puzzles. Dan Word, Crossword Tracker
The most common 7-letter answer is EPITOME. Multiple crossword solvers
Synonymous answers include PARAGON, IDEAL, ARCHETYPE, and PARADIGM. Dictionary and crossword databases
The clue is often used interchangeably with “Model of excellence” or “Quintessential example.” Crossword clue synonyms
Word.tips lists 9 answers, with ARCHETYPE as its top ranked. WordTips
The shortest common answer is ICON (4 letters), used by Newsday. LetterSolver
Crossword-Solver.io records 40 possible answers sorted by length. Crossword-Solver.io
EPITOME and PARAGON are universally accepted in crossword dictionaries. Multiple sources

What Does ‘Perfect Example’ Mean?

The Meaning Behind the Clue

In crossword terminology, “perfect example” describes a person or thing that embodies the highest standard of a particular quality. The most common answer, EPITOME, derives from the Greek word for “cut short,” but in modern usage it refers to a perfect embodiment. PARAGON comes from Old Italian meaning “touchstone,” a stone used to test gold—and by extension, a flawless model of excellence.

Solvers’ Tip

When you see “perfect example” in a puzzle, think of words that mean ideal or quintessential. The answer almost always expresses completeness or perfection. If you have a partial fill like ????T???, EPITOME is a strong candidate.

Synonyms Commonly Used as Answers

Nearly every accepted answer for this clue is a direct synonym. The most frequent synonyms used in crossword grids include IDEAL (5 letters), MODEL (5), PARAGON (7), EPITOME (7), PARADIGM (8), ARCHETYPE (9), and QUINTESSENCE (12). Each carries a slightly different nuance—paradigm implies a typical pattern, archetype suggests an original prototype, and quintessence points to the purest form.

What Other Crossword Clues Are Related?

Expedite Crossword Clue

The clue “expedite” appears in many crosswords alongside “perfect example” because both are common vocabulary items that test solvers’ synonym knowledge. Answers for “expedite” include HASTEN, SPEED, ACCELERATE, and FACILITATE. Depending on the grid length, solvers often need to choose between 5- to 9-letter solutions.

Slang for a Vehicle Crossword Clue

Clues like “slang for a vehicle” may show up in puzzles that mix formal and informal vocabulary. Common answers include RIDE (4 letters), HOOPTY (6), JALOPY (6), or BEATER (6). The connection to “perfect example” lies in the way crossword constructors use everyday language to create varied fill.

Note on Puzzle Styles

British quick crosswords and American daily puzzles often share the same answer pool for “perfect example,” but cryptic puzzles may require wordplay. For instance, a cryptic clue might use an anagram indicator, so the answer could be hidden within a phrase. Always check the puzzle type before settling on a response.

Visually Impressive Event Crossword Clue

A clue like “visually impressive event” uses adjectives to describe a spectacle. Answers include SPECTACLE (9), DISPLAY (7), or EXTRAVAGANZA (12). While not directly related to “perfect example,” these clues share the same lexical field of high-impact nouns.

Avoid a Common Mistake

Do not assume that one answer fits all puzzles. EPITOME works for 7-letter slots in American puzzles, but British quick crosswords sometimes use CLASSIC or MODEL. Always verify the crossing letters before committing to a fill.

Has the ‘Perfect Example’ Clue Changed Over Time?

The clue “perfect example” is largely static in crossword history. No significant evolution of the answer set has occurred because the synonyms remain stable. However, the frequency of particular answers can shift with editorial preferences. Data from Crossword Tracker shows that EPITOME has held its position as the top answer for decades, while ARCHETYPE has gained prominence in recent years on sites like Word.tips.

  1. EPITOME (7) – Consistently top ranked in WSJ and LetterSolver
  2. PARAGON (7) – Frequent in Mirror Quick and Word-Grabber
  3. IDEAL (5) – Standard short fill in Commuter and Newsday
  4. ARCHETYPE (9) – Rising in popularity on Word.tips
  5. QUINTESSENCE (12) – Common in Telegraph Quick for longer grids

What Is Known and Unknown About ‘Perfect Example’ Answers?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
EPITOME and PARAGON are universally accepted in crossword dictionaries. Whether newer answers like APOTHEOSIS will become standard remains uncertain.
For 5 letters, IDEAL is almost always correct; for 7 letters, EPITOME is standard. Some puzzles may accept less common words like NONPAREIL (9), but this is not guaranteed.
The clue appears in both British quick and American daily puzzles. Cryptic versions may use wordplay that changes the answer entirely.
Multiple sources (Word.tips, LetterSolver, Crossword-Solver.io) agree on the top 5 answers. Exact confidence scores vary by source (95–98%).

Why Is ‘Perfect Example’ a Standard Crossword Reference?

The phrase “perfect example” is a crossword powerhouse because its synonyms offer a wide range of letter counts. Words like EPITOME, PARAGON, and ARCHETYPE are not only precise but also fit comfortably into common grid patterns. The etymology of these words adds depth—EPITOME from Greek meaning “to cut short” yet signifying embodiment, and PARAGON from Italian for a touchstone. This flexibility lets constructors reuse the clue across different puzzle sizes and difficulty levels. According to Word-Grabber, the clue generates at least five core answers, each with its own niche in the solver’s lexicon.

Moreover, the clue’s versatility extends to puzzle types. Quick crosswords treat it as a straightforward synonym lookup, while cryptic puzzles may use anagrams or hidden words. Solvers who learn the common answers for “perfect example” gain a toolkit that applies to many other clues, such as “model,” “ideal,” or “quintessence.”

Where Do the Top Answers Come From?

Several dedicated crossword databases provide the backbone for solver confidence. Below are direct quotes from three of the most frequently cited sources.

“Possible solutions for ‘Perfect example’ clue. It was last seen in British quick crossword. We have 9 possible answers.”

Dan Word

“30 answers to ‘perfect example’, 7 letters crossword clue.”

Wordplays

“Here is the answer for the crossword clue Perfect example last seen in Times Concise puzzle.”

Crossword-Solver.io

Other notable resources include CrosswordSolver.com (grouping answers by length) and CrosswordSolver.org (core shortlist of EPITOME, PARADIGM, PARAGON). These sites aggregate clue data from multiple puzzle publications, providing a reliable reference for solvers.

What Should Solvers Keep in Mind?

When faced with the clue “perfect example,” start by checking the letter count of your puzzle. For 5 letters, IDEAL is nearly always correct. For 7 letters, EPITOME or PARAGON are safe bets. Longer grids may call for ARCHETYPE (9) or QUINTESSENCE (12). Consider the puzzle type—quick crosswords favor common synonyms, while cryptic versions may require wordplay. Bookmarking a trusted solver page can save time during challenging puzzles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common answer for ‘perfect example’?

The most common answer is EPITOME (7 letters). PARAGON is also very frequent.

What is a 5-letter answer for ‘perfect example’?

IDEAL is the standard 5-letter answer.

What is a 6-letter answer for ‘perfect example’?

MODEL or EXAMPLE itself are sometimes used, but MODEL is accepted in many puzzles.

What is a 9-letter answer for ‘perfect example’?

APOTHEOSIS is the most common 9-letter answer.

What does ‘epitome’ mean?

Epitome means a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.

Can ‘perfect example’ be a cryptic clue?

Yes, cryptic crosswords often use wordplay for this clue, such as anagrams or hidden words.

What are other clues that share the same answer as ‘perfect example’?

EPITOME also appears for clues like ‘Quintessence’, ‘Embodiment’, and ‘Model’.



George James Thompson Howard

About the author

George James Thompson Howard

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