epitome

American  

[ih-pit-uh-mee] / ɪˈpɪt ə mi /

noun

1. a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class.

   He is the epitome of goodness.

   Synonyms:

   quintessence, typification, model, exemplification, embodiment

2. a condensed account, especially of a literary work; abstract.

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epitome British  

/ ɪˈpɪtəmɪ, ˌɛpɪˈtɒmɪkəl /

noun

1. a typical example of a characteristic or class; embodiment; personification

   he is the epitome of sloth

2. a summary of a written work; abstract

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Other Word Forms

• epitomic adjective
• epitomical adjective

Etymology

Origin of epitome

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin epitomē “abridgment,” from Greek epitomḗ “abridgment, surface incision,” equivalent to epi- + -tome

Example Sentences

The kitchen is the epitome of rustic charm with its cabinetry, island, and state-of-the-art appliances.

From MarketWatch

“I do have to admit from watching Robert Downey Jr. in Guy Ritchie’s movies, especially as a young boy, he was the epitome of cool,” Tiffin says.

From Los Angeles Times

Buss's daughter, current Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, called him "a guardian angel for this franchise" and "the epitome of an era."

From Barron's

For the Olympics, the epitome of the Games is ethics.

From Los Angeles Times

To him, the ribbed vault and flying buttress were the epitome of rational construction.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• apotheosis
• embodiment
• essence
• exemplar
• personification