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epitomize

[ ih-pit-uh-mahyz ]
/ ɪˈpɪt əˌmaɪz /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR epitomize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), e·pit·o·mized, e·pit·o·miz·ing.

to contain or represent in small compass; serve as a typical example of; typify: This meadow epitomizes the beauty of the whole area.
to make an epitome of: to epitomize an argument.

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RELATED WORDS

exemplify, represent, characterize, personify, embody, symbolize, illustrate, summarize, model, mean, cut, abbreviate, shorten, reduce, condense, contract, abridge, digest, compress, capsulize

Nearby words

  1. epithelization,
  2. epithet,
  3. epitome,
  4. epitomise,
  5. epitomist,
  6. epitope,
  7. epitrachelion,
  8. epitrichium,
  9. epitrochoid,
  10. epitympanic
Also especially British, e·pit·o·mise.

Origin of epitomize

First recorded in 1590–1600; epitom(e) + -ize
Related formse·pit·o·mi·za·tion, noune·pit·o·miz·er, nounun·e·pit·o·mized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epitomize

British Dictionary definitions for epitomize

epitomize

epitomise

/ (ɪˈpɪtəˌmaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to be a personification of; typify
to make an epitome of
Derived Formsepitomist, nounepitomization or epitomisation, nounepitomizer or epitomiser, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for epitomize

epitomize

v.

1590s, "shorten, condense," from epitome + -ize. Meaning "typify, embody" is from 1620s. Related: Epitomized; epitomizing; epitomizes.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper