exemplary

American  

[ig-zem-pluh-ree, eg-zuhm-pler-ee] / ɪgˈzɛm plə ri, ˈɛg zəmˌplɛr i /

adjective

1. worthy of imitation; commendable.

   exemplary conduct.

   Synonyms:

   praiseworthy, noteworthy, laudable

2. serving as a warning.

   an exemplary penalty.

3. serving as an illustration or specimen; illustrative; typical.

   The sentences read are exemplary of the style of the essay as a whole.

4. serving as a model or pattern.

   The authoritative and exemplary text of the work is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.

5. of, relating to, or composed of exempla, or examples or models.

   the exemplary literature of the medieval period.

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exemplary British  

/ ɪɡˈzɛmplərɪ /

adjective

1. fit for imitation; model

   an exemplary performance

2. serving as a warning; admonitory

   an exemplary jail sentence

3. representative; typical

   an action exemplary of his conduct

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Other Word Forms

• exemplarily adverb
• exemplariness noun
• exemplarity noun
• nonexemplary adjective
• unexemplary adjective

Etymology

Origin of exemplary

First recorded in 1400–50, for the earlier sense “model, exemplar”; 1580–90 exemplary for def. 1; late Middle English (noun), from Latin exemplāris, from exempl(um) exemplum + -āris -ary

Explanation

Exemplary people excel at what they do and are excellent examples to others. Something exemplary is so good that it is an example for others to follow. When something is the best it can be or reaches the highest point, it is exemplary and thus worth imitating. Exemplary comes from the Latin exemplum, meaning "sample" or "example." While some people and things are held as examples of what not to do, an exemplary person or thing is always a positive example. A country can have an exemplary record of preventing pollution, and a person may have an exemplary reputation just for being all-around praiseworthy or noble.

Example Sentences

The court heard Roberts spent 22 "exemplary" years in the Army serving in Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, then upon his release immediately joined Durham Police before moving to Northumbria in 2017.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

“But for this crime, he’s led an exemplary life,” Edward M. Robinson told the judge about his client.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

She said the judiciary had been exemplary in handling the case.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

So after eight years fashioning the office of the presidency, he did something simple and exemplary: He went home.

From Slate • Feb. 16, 2026

Dominated by nine high-walled imperial palace-tombs and five cathedral-like ceremonial complexes, the city was both exemplary in its grandeur and oddly empty, because its streets were restricted to the elite.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• admirable
• commendable
• estimable
• excellent
• honorable
• laudable
• meritorious
• sterling
• typical