model

American  

[mod-l] / ˈmɒd l /

noun

models plural

1. a standard or example for imitation or comparison.

   Synonyms:

   original, mold, archetype, prototype, paragon

2. a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.

3. an image in clay, wax, or the like, to be reproduced in more durable material.

4. a person or thing that serves as a subject for an artist, sculptor, writer, etc.

5. a person whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.

6. a person employed to wear clothing or pose with a product for purposes of display and advertising.

7. a style or design of a particular product.

   His car is last year's model.

8. a pattern or mode of structure or formation.

9. a typical form or style.

10. a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, as in the sciences or economics, with any hypotheses required to describe the system or explain the phenomenon, often mathematically.

11. Zoology. an animal that is mimicked in form or color by another.

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adjective

1. serving as an example or model.

   a model home open to prospective buyers.

2. worthy to serve as a model; exemplary.

   a model student.

3. being a small or miniature version of something.

   He enjoyed building model ships.

verb (used with object)

models, present (3rd person singular) modeled, past participle, past modelled, past participle, past modeling, present participle modelling present participle

1. to form or plan according to a model.

2. to give shape or form to; fashion.

   Synonyms:

   design

3. to make a miniature model of.

4. to fashion in clay, wax, or the like.

5. to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer.

6. to display to other persons or to prospective customers, especially by wearing.

   to model dresses.

7. to use or include as an element in a larger construct.

   to model new data into the forecast.

verb (used without object)

models, present (3rd person singular) modeled, past participle, past modelled, past participle, past modeling, present participle modelling present participle

1. to make models.

2. to produce designs in some plastic material.

3. to assume a typical or natural appearance, as the parts of a drawing in progress.

4. to serve or be employed as a model.

model British  

/ ˈmɒdəl /

noun

1. 1. a representation, usually on a smaller scale, of a device, structure, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a model train

2. 1. a standard to be imitated

      she was my model for good scholarship

   2. ( as modifier )

      a model wife

3. a representative form, style, or pattern

4. a person who poses for a sculptor, painter, or photographer

5. a person who wears clothes to display them to prospective buyers; mannequin

6. a preparatory sculpture in clay, wax, etc, from which the finished work is copied

7. a design or style, esp one of a series of designs of a particular product

   last year's model

8. 1. an original unique article of clothing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a model coat

9. a simplified representation or description of a system or complex entity, esp one designed to facilitate calculations and predictions

10. logic

    1. an interpretation of a formal system under which the theorems derivable in that system are mapped onto truths

    2. a theory in which a given sentence is true

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verb

1. to make a model of (something or someone)

2. to form in clay, wax, etc; mould

3. to display (clothing and accessories) as a mannequin

4. to plan or create according to a model or models

5. to arrange studio lighting so that highlights and shadows emphasize the desired features of a human form or an inanimate object

model Scientific  

/ mŏd′l /

1. A systematic description of an object or phenomenon that shares important characteristics with the object or phenomenon. Scientific models can be material, visual, mathematical, or computational and are often used in the construction of scientific theories.

2. See also hypothesis theory

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Synonym Usage

See ideal.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• modeler
  noun
• modeller
  noun
• premodel
  verb (used without object)
• unmodeled
  adjective
• unmodelled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• models
  plural

Participles

• modeling
  present
• modelling
  present
• modeled
  past
• modelled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• model
  simple
• models
  simple
• have modeled
  perfect
• have modelled
  perfect
• has modeled
  perfect
• has modelled
  perfect
• am modeling
  progressive
• am modelling
  progressive
• are modeling
  progressive
• are modelling
  progressive
• is modeling
  progressive
• is modelling
  progressive
• have been modeling
  perfect progressive
• have been modelling
  perfect progressive
• has been modeling
  perfect progressive
• has been modelling
  perfect progressive

Past

• modeled
  simple
• modelled
  simple
• had modeled
  perfect
• had modelled
  perfect
• was modeling
  progressive
• was modelling
  progressive
• were modeling
  progressive
• were modelling
  progressive
• had been modeling
  perfect progressive
• had been modelling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will model
  simple
• will have modeled
  perfect
• will have modelled
  perfect
• will be modeling
  progressive
• will be modelling
  progressive
• will have been modeling
  perfect progressive
• will have been modelling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of model

First recorded 1565–75; earlier modell, from Middle French modelle, from Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin modellus (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin mod(ulus), a unit of measurement ( see module) + -ellus -elle

Explanation

To model something is to show it off. To make a model of your favorite car is to create a miniature version of it. To be a model is to be so gorgeous that you’re photographed for a living. The word model, which can be a noun, verb, or adjective, comes from the Latin word modulus, meaning “measure,” or “standard.” If you are a model student, you do everything as the school and teachers wish: you are the standard. If you model your life on your hero's, you try to do what he or she does. If you are a clothing designer you will need to hire a model to model your creations.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

model models modeled modelled modeling modelling

A large language model could read and retain it all.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Tuning in for some TV takes: Netflix’s binge-drop model disrupted the stodgy rhythms of old-school TV.

From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026

“The one place I think there is room to make the model better is on price,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

That’s what happens when the content model is to pump out as much as possible, as fast as possible.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026

In an instant, he became the cover model.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

OpenRouter, which was valued at $1.3 billion in May, sells software that helps developers access and compare different AI models.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Lieu said "it is imperative" that AI systems have a kill switch "and that the federal government has the clear authority and process to shut down rogue AI models".

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Yep, the AI models figured out on their own that cheating was the easiest path, and also how to break free of all constraints and do it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Intel had fallen behind because the development and use of the most sophisticated models is primarily powered by graphics processing units, or GPUs, made by companies such as Nvidia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

But everyone on Wall Street knew that the people who ran the models were ripe for exploitation.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Revenue rose 3% to $50.47 billion, compared with estimates of $48.84 billion that Wall Street modeled.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

For extra cuteness, he’s even modeled the structure on “The Wizard of Oz.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

To reach these conclusions, the researchers modeled the early history of asteroid impacts on Earth.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 2, 2026

Although at this point, newborns will only be eligible for the free $1,000 through 2028, the report modeled what could happen if the money was given to babies born over an entire decade.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

I write about the Red Cross and the threatening announcement and the meticulous preparation for the visit that is supposed to showcase Mobius as a camp upon which all future camps can be modeled.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Maher has her own podcast, brand ambassador roles, modelled for Sports Illustrated, and finished as runner-up in the television series Dancing with the Stars.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

In May last year, Cooper said the government would "draw up new powers modelled on counter terrorism powers in a series of areas to tackle these state threats".

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

Kjersti Moritz, at 21, is SSCV's next great hope and said she modelled her technique on Shiffrin.

From Barron's ● Feb. 7, 2026

The researchers also modelled a scenario where the world tried harder to fight the health effects of plastic.

From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026

“The optimum population,” said Mustapha Mond, “is modelled on the iceberg—eight-ninths below the water line, one-ninth above.”

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Wall Street is modeling for earnings of $29.88 a share and sales of $79.17 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Free-cash flow for the period amounted to $4.7 billion, up from $4.4 billion in the year-earlier quarter and above the $4.5 billion that analysts were modeling.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

PARIS—French prosecutors are probing the death of a French modeling scout with ties to Jeffrey Epstein after he was found dead at his home outside the French capital this week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Instead, it calls for careful laboratory research, more sophisticated climate modeling, and perhaps small-scale experiments on future Mars missions to explore localized warming techniques.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

The photographer had me sit on a high black stool, and do all these poses, like I was modeling.

From "I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

A modelling scout linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

After a while, Epstein told her modelling was not working out for her and that the industry was dead.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

The MoD said the roles would cover disciplines from data and modelling to project management.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

It will help in the development of quantum computing and engage in climate change modelling.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

I remember a time when I could only have been five or six, sitting at a low table beside Amanda C., our hands clammy with modelling clay.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• copy
• figure
• image
• painting
• photograph
• picture
• portrait