grade-A
Cream of crop
Grade-A describes something of the highest quality or standard.
The term comes from grading systems where A represents the top tier—applied to meat, eggs, and other commodities.
In casual use, it often intensifies nouns: a grade-A idiot, grade-A bullshit.
The hyphen is standard but sometimes dropped.
Exceptionally good or unpaid
- superbExtremely impressive, first-rate
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- premiumAdded cost for better
- top-qualityOf the highest standard
first-rate · finest · superior · prime · choice · select · elite · impeccable
Federal agriculture bureau
- certifiedOfficially declared valid
- inspectedExamined closely, officially
- primeReadying for action
- choiceAct of selecting
select · standard · classified · rated · stamped · approved · verified
Top-ranked graduating student
- straight-AAchieving only top grades
- scholarlyMarked by serious learning
- meritoriousDeserving praise or honor
- distinguishedNotable and respected
outstanding
Exceptionally good or unpaid
- superbExtremely impressive, first-rate
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- premiumAdded cost for better
top-quality · first-rate · finest · superior · prime · choice · select · elite · impeccable · flawless
USDA
Federal agriculture bureau
choice · select · standard · classified · rated · stamped · approved · verified
valedictorian
Top-ranked graduating student
- straight-AAchieving only top grades
- scholarlyMarked by serious learning
- meritoriousDeserving praise or honor
grade-Asubstandard
Below required quality
second-rate · inferior · low-grade · third-rate · defective
- first gradeOpening elementary year
- fifth gradeSchool year for ten-year-olds
- second gradeElementary school's third year
- fourth gradeElementary school's middle year
- sixth gradeAcademic year for eleven-year-olds
- third gradeSchool year for eight-year-olds
grade, grades, graded, grader, degrade, degraded, upgrade, upgraded, downgrade