exemplar

American  

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

Archaic, examplar

noun

• exemplars
  plural

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.

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exemplar British  

/ ɪɡˈzɛmplə, -plɑː /

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• exemplars
  plural

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; see exemplary

Explanation

A high school valedictorian is an exemplar of dedication and hard work. Most parents would love for their children to emulate a student with such excellent grades. Notice the similarity between the words exemplar and example. This word can mean both “perfect example” and “typical example.” A fireman can be an exemplar of courage, and a building can be an exemplar of the architecture from a certain period.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

exemplar exemplars

“Duvateen” is worth talking about some more because it’s a stellar exemplar of how John Curley firmly commands the rhythm section.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

Like Avila Chevalier, Almosawi is a daughter of immigrants and, through one lens, an exemplar of the American dream.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Ockenden's report outlined the "exemplar case", which led to the review into post-death care at the trust.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

This novel, winner of the Booker Prize, uses a blunt, clipped style to advantage, exposing Istvan as an exemplar of both toxic masculinity and hinting at what’s required to escape it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025

The original exemplar of American social mobility was almost certainly Benjamin Franklin, one of seventeen children of a candle maker.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Section 2 comes out of one of the most poignant exemplars of patriotism and love of country I can point to in our history.

From Slate ● Apr. 30, 2026

Both of them viewed Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia as exemplars of an entirely new political system, unknown to previous students of political philosophy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

That program, sponsored by John Entenza’s Arts & Architecture magazine from 1945 to 1966, yielded 25 completed homes, today considered top exemplars of Midcentury home design.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2025

He added: "I think we absolutely need people to be exemplars of the BBC values and follow our social media policy. It's as simple as that."

From BBC ● May 14, 2025

I commended these three men as individuals, not as representatives of the court or of the state or even of their race, but as exemplars of human decency under adversity.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• epitome
• paragon