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.

---

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

---

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

Conservative intellectuals in the U.S. appropriated Disraeli as an exemplar of temperament and principle.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

"Public health innovations in Australia sort of gave a general exemplar for WHO to follow," says Canfell.

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 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

So it’s not, perhaps, the best time for Meta, whose frames have drawn comparisons to Cybertrucks as exemplars of self-satisfied ostentation, to debut Starfire Kylies.

From Salon ● Jul. 2, 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

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

Additionally, the movement from domestic mayhem to cosmic absurdity evokes the works of Paula Vogel and Sarah Ruhl, American exemplars of magic realism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2025

Churchill consciously marshaled, as the best orators will, not only the language of the past but its history to his cause- invoking Drake and Nelson as exemplars and, implicitly, allies in the struggle.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• epitome
• paragon