exemplify

[ ig-zem-pluh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: exemplifyexemplifiedexemplifiesexemplifying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ex·em·pli·fied, ex·em·pli·fy·ing.
  1. to show or illustrate by example.

  2. to furnish or serve as an example of: The plays of Wilde exemplify the comedy of manners.

  1. Law. to transcribe or copy; make an attested copy of (a document) under seal.

Origin of exemplify

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English exemplifien, from Middle French exemplifier, from Medieval Latin exemplificāre “to copy”; See exemplum, -ify

Other words for exemplify

Other words from exemplify

  • ex·em·pli·fi·a·ble [ig-zem-pluh-fahy-uh-buhl], /ɪgˌzɛm pləˈfaɪ ə bəl/, adjective
  • ex·em·pli·fi·er, noun

Words Nearby exemplify

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use exemplify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exemplify

exemplify

/ (ɪɡˈzɛmplɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
  1. to show by example

  2. to serve as an example of

  1. law

    • to make an official copy of (a document from public records) under seal

    • to transcribe (a legal document)

Origin of exemplify

1
C15: via Old French from Medieval Latin exemplificāre, from Latin exemplum example + facere to make

Derived forms of exemplify

  • exemplifiable, adjective
  • exemplification, noun
  • exemplificative, adjective
  • exemplifier, 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