Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

exemplar

American  
[ig-zem-pler, -plahr] / ɪgˈzɛm plər, -plɑr /
Archaic, examplar

noun

  1. a model or pattern to be copied or imitated.

    Washington is the exemplar of patriotic virtue.

  2. a typical example or instance.

  3. an original or archetype.

    Plato thought nature but a copy of ideal exemplars.

  4. a copy of a book or text.


exemplar British  
/ -plɑː, ɪɡˈzɛmplə /

noun

  1. a person or thing to be copied or imitated; model

  2. a typical specimen or instance; example

  3. a copy of a book or text on which further printings have been based

"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

Etymology

Origin of exemplar

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, variant of exemplāre, noun use of neuter of exemplāris “relating or pertaining to a model or pattern,” replacing Middle English exaumplere, from Middle French examplaire, from Latin exemplāris; exemplary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kendrick Lamar, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his lyrics, is a modern exemplar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Other highlights include a sterling silver exemplar of “Box of Smile,” which is a small box containing a mirror inside.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025

Levi’s tennis partner, Cooper Schwartz, said in a post on Instagram that his friend was the “greatest work hard, play hard exemplar of all time.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2025

The founders’ fears of dictatorship found a real-world overseas exemplar soon after the Constitution was ratified.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2025

According to this guideline, like may be used only for resemblance to an exemplar, as in I’ll find someone like you and Poems are made by fools like me.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker