model

[ mod-l ]

/ ˈmɒd l /

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See synonyms for: model / modeled / modeling / modelled on Thesaurus.com

noun

a standard or example for imitation or comparison.

a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.

an image in clay, wax, or the like, to be reproduced in more durable material.

a person or thing that serves as a subject for an artist, sculptor, writer, etc.

a person whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.

a person employed to wear clothing or pose with a product for purposes of display and advertising.

a style or design of a particular product: His car is last year's model.

a pattern or mode of structure or formation.

a typical form or style.

a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, as in the sciences or economics, with any hypotheses required to describe the system or explain the phenomenon, often mathematically.

Zoology. an animal that is mimicked in form or color by another.

adjective

serving as an example or model: a model home open to prospective buyers.

worthy to serve as a model; exemplary: a model student.

being a small or miniature version of something: He enjoyed building model ships.

verb (used with object), mod·eled, mod·el·ing or (especially British) mod·elled, mod·el·ling.

to form or plan according to a model.

to give shape or form to; fashion.

to make a miniature model of.

to fashion in clay, wax, or the like.

to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer.

to display to other persons or to prospective customers, especially by wearing: to model dresses.

to use or include as an element in a larger construct: to model new data into the forecast.

verb (used without object), mod·eled, mod·el·ing or (especially British) mod·elled, mod·el·ling.

to make models.

to produce designs in some plastic material.

to assume a typical or natural appearance, as the parts of a drawing in progress.

to serve or be employed as a model.

OTHER WORDS FOR model

1 paragon; prototype, archetype, mold, original.

16 design.

See synonyms for model on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of model

1565–75; earlier modell<Middle French modelle<Italian modello<Vulgar Latin *modellus, equivalent to Latin mod(ulus) (see module) + -ellus-elle

synonym study for model

1. See ideal.

OTHER WORDS FROM model

mod·el·er; especially British, mod·el·ler, nounpre·mod·el, verb (used without object), pre·mod·eled, pre·mod·el·ing or (especially British) pre·mod·elled, pre·mod·el·ling.un·mod·eled, adjectiveun·mod·elled, adjective

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

How to use model in a sentence

Even as he participates in several WHO working groups on Covid-19, he’s trying to get the international body and other players to rethink their model.
Who should get the Covid-19 vaccine first? Ethicists are fiercely debating how to vaccinate billions of people.|Sigal Samuel|November 20, 2020|Vox
Many museums are going to have to reimagine their business model.
Plight at the Museum|Jen Trolio|November 20, 2020|Vox
In New York City, which was hit so hard in the spring, her model predicts that roughly 60 percent of the population may need immunity to contain the pandemic.
Who Should Get a Covid-19 Vaccine First?|Jill Neimark|November 20, 2020|Singularity Hub
In addition, two other important models have emerged, one associated with University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the other with Johns Hopkins University.
Who should get a covid-19 vaccine first?|Niall Firth|November 20, 2020|MIT Technology Review

This research project delivered a heart model to explore novel digital therapies.
Leveraging collective intelligence and AI to benefit society|Jason Sparapani|November 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
We built the tour budget ourselves and modeled projected revenue against expenses.
How Much Money Does a Band Really Make on Tour?|Jack Conte|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kate Moss partnered with London restaurant 34 to make a Champagne coupe modeled on her left breast.
Women, It's Time to Reclaim Our Breasts|Emily Shire|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I read once that you actually modeled the character on your father.
Molly Shannon on ‘Life After Beth,’ Turning 50, and ‘Never Been Kissed’|Melissa Leon|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She has modeled for Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, and was married to Marilyn Manson.
Dita Von Teese, Keep Your Hands Off Our Boobs|Emma Mahony|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And I heard Bradley Cooper modeled his Rocket accent off Joe Pesci in Goodfellas?
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Filmmaker James Gunn on His Glorious Space Opera and Rise to the A-List|Marlow Stern|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Its working is in beautiful harmony with that of the newly modeled corn-laws, as we shall presently explain.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
It was a big, late-modeled touring car, of the kind that sells for nearly five thousand dollars.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
This is a real ranch; small, as compared to others, but modeled as a farm in the East, for Gillis is a real farmer.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
The brows are straight, the nose finely modeled, the lips rather full, the expression benignant.
Greek Sculpture|Estelle M. Hurll
Captain Putnam was a West Point graduate, and had modeled his school somewhat after that famous government institution.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

British Dictionary definitions for model

model

/ (ˈmɒdəl) /

noun

a representation, usually on a smaller scale, of a device, structure, etc
(as modifier)a model train

a standard to be imitatedshe was my model for good scholarship
(as modifier)a model wife

a representative form, style, or pattern

a person who poses for a sculptor, painter, or photographer

a person who wears clothes to display them to prospective buyers; mannequin

a preparatory sculpture in clay, wax, etc, from which the finished work is copied

a design or style, esp one of a series of designs of a particular productlast year's model

British

an original unique article of clothing
(as modifier)a model coat

a simplified representation or description of a system or complex entity, esp one designed to facilitate calculations and predictions

logic

an interpretation of a formal system under which the theorems derivable in that system are mapped onto truths
a theory in which a given sentence is true

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled

to make a model of (something or someone)

to form in clay, wax, etc; mould

to display (clothing and accessories) as a mannequin

to plan or create according to a model or models

to arrange studio lighting so that highlights and shadows emphasize the desired features of a human form or an inanimate object

Derived forms of model

modeller or US modeler, noun

Word Origin for model

C16: from Old French modelle, from Italian modello, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus mode

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

Scientific definitions for model

model

[ mŏd′l ]

A systematic description of an object or phenomenon that shares important characteristics with the object or phenomenon. Scientific models can be material, visual, mathematical, or computational and are often used in the construction of scientific theories. See also hypothesis theory.

model

OTHER WORDS FOR model

Origin of model

synonym study for model

OTHER WORDS FROM model

Words related to model

How to use model in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for model

Derived forms of model

Word Origin for model

Scientific definitions for model