typical

Rarely typ·ic

[tip-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. of the nature of or serving as a type or representative specimen.

   Synonyms: usual, stock, average, normal

2. conforming to a particular type.

3. Biology.,  exemplifying most nearly the essential characteristics of a higher group in natural history, and forming the type.

   the typical genus of a family.

4. characteristic or distinctive.

   He has the mannerisms typical of his class.

5. pertaining to, of the nature of, or serving as a type or emblem; symbolic.

typical

/ ˈtɪpɪkəl /

adjective

1. being or serving as a representative example of a particular type; characteristic

   the painting is a typical Rembrandt

2. considered to be an example of some undesirable trait

   that is typical of you!

3. of or relating to a representative specimen or type

4. conforming to a type

5. biology having most of the characteristics of a particular taxonomic group

   a typical species of a genus

Other Word Forms

• typically adverb
• typicalness noun
• typicality noun
• nontypical adjective
• nontypicalness noun
• quasi-typical adjective
• untypical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of typical¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin typicālis, equivalent to Late Latin typic(us) (from Greek typikós, equivalent to týp(os) type + -ikos -ic ) + Latin -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of typical¹

C17: from Medieval Latin typicālis, from Late Latin typicus figurative, from Greek tupikos, from tupos _type

Example Sentences

Saraiya said Koerner has helped identify roadblocks to progress — such as the typical lead time in lining up utility services — and the county is working to streamline the entire rebuilding process for everyone.

From Los Angeles Times

Kelly: What do you do on your typical day off away from football?

From BBC

Attorneys focus on the typical cases for most personal injury firms — dog bites, falls and auto accidents.

From Los Angeles Times

But Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, while not a liberal firebrand, is not your typical political maverick.

From BBC

The number of unfair labor practice cases filed in 2025 falls within the typical range of recent years, indicating sustained confidence in the agency’s core functions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• classic 
• common 
• commonplace 
• emblematic 
• exemplary 
• natural 
• normal 
• ordinary 
• quintessential 
• regular 
• symbolic