type

[ tahyp ]

/ taɪp /

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See synonyms for: type / typed / types / typing on Thesaurus.com

noun

a number of things or persons sharing a particular characteristic, or set of characteristics, that causes them to be regarded as a group, more or less precisely defined or designated; class; category: a criminal of the most vicious type.

a thing or person regarded as a member of a class or category; kind; sort (usually followed by of): This is some type of mushroom.

Informal. a person, regarded as reflecting or typifying a certain line of work, environment, etc.: a couple of civil service types.

a thing or person that represents perfectly or in the best way a class or category; model: the very type of a headmaster.

Printing.

a rectangular piece or block, now usually of metal, having on its upper surface a letter or character in relief.
such pieces or blocks collectively.
a similar piece in a typewriter or the like.
such pieces collectively.
a printed character or printed characters: a headline in large type.
face (defs. 21b, c).

Biology.

a genus or species that most nearly exemplifies the essential characteristics of a higher group.
the one or more specimens on which the description and naming of a species is based.

Agriculture.

the inherited features of an animal or breed that are favorable for any given purpose: dairy type.
a strain, breed, or variety of animal, or a single animal, belonging to a specific kind.

Logic, Linguistics.Also called type-word. the general form of a word, expression, symbol, or the like in contrast to its particular instances: The type “and” in “red and white and blue” has two separate tokens.Compare token (def. 11).

the pattern or model from which something is made.

an image or figure produced by impressing or stamping, as the principal figure or device on either side of a coin or medal.

a distinctive or characteristic mark or sign.

a symbol of something in the future, as an Old Testament event serving as a prefiguration of a New Testament event.

Medicine/Medical. blood group.

verb (used with object), typed, typ·ing.

to write on a typewriter or keyboard; typewrite or keyboard.

to reproduce in type or in print.

Medicine/Medical. to ascertain the type of (a blood or tissue sample).

to typecast.

to be a type or symbol of; typify; symbolize; represent.

to represent prophetically; foreshadow; prefigure.

verb (used without object), typed, typ·ing.

to typewrite or keyboard.

OTHER WORDS FOR type

1 sort, classification, form, stamp.

2 sample, example.

See synonyms for type on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of type

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English: “symbol, figure” (from Middle French ), from Latin typus “bas-relief, ground plan,” from Greek týpos “blow, impression”

usage note for type

2. When preceded by a modifier, type meaning “kind, sort” is sometimes used without a following of: This type furnace uses very little current. In writing, a hyphen is often placed between type and the preceding word or words: a magnetic-type holder; a New England-type corn pudding. This construction is frequently criticized by usage guides; it is most typical of journalistic writing and advertising and occurs rarely in formal speech or writing. In almost all cases the construction can be rendered fully standard either by restoring of after type, with no hyphen ( this type of furnace; a New England type of corn pudding ) or by omitting type altogether ( a magnetic holder).

OTHER WORDS FROM type

mis·type, verb, mis·typed, mis·typ·ing.mis·typed, adjectivepre·type, verb (used with object), pre·typed, pre·typ·ing.re·type, verb (used with object), re·typed, re·typ·ing.

un·typed, adjectivewell-typed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH type

kind, sort, type (see usage note at the current entry)

Words nearby type

Tyner, Tyneside, Tynwald, typ., typal, type, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, Type A, type A personality, Type B

Other definitions for type (2 of 2)

-type

a suffix representing type (prototype), especially in names of photographic processes: ferrotype.

Compare typo-.

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

MORE ABOUT TYPE

What is a basic definition of type?

Type is used as a noun to mean a member of a category. As a verb type means to write using a typewriter or keyboard. The word type has many other senses as a noun and a verb.

Type refers to something or someone that is a member of a category or class. Type is often followed with the word of and the category being referred to. For example, a German shepherd is a type of dog. The German shepherd is a member of the large group of animals known as dogs.

Real-life examples: Robins, pigeons, and eagles are types of birds. Hats, pants, and shirts are types of clothing. Vegetables, fruits, and meats are types of foods.
Used in a sentence: Martina likes only certain types of movies, such as comedies.

Informally, type is used in a similar sense to mean a person who has characteristics of a certain job, personality, or other quality.

Used in a sentence: We don’t want any government types sniffing around our business.

As a verb, type means to write on a typewriter or keyboard. Now that typewriters are much less commonly used, type nearly always refers specifically to computer or cellphone keyboards.

Used in a sentence: I told him not to type a long, angry rant on his social media profile but he didn’t listen.

Where does type come from?

The first records of type come from around 1425. It ultimately comes from Greek word týpos, meaning “a blow or an impression.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to type?

mistype (verb)
mistyped (adjective)
pretype (verb)
retype (verb)
untyped (adjective)

What are some synonyms for type?

What are some words that share a root or word element with type?

What are some words that often get used in discussing type?

How is type used in real life?

Type is a very common word that most often means to write on a keyboard or refers to something that is a member of a certain category.

There are two types of people in this world:

Those who are bad at email.

Those who are very bad at email.

No one is good at email.

— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) December 11, 2020

Just typed a 3000 word paper… Still not done 😩

— J (@JVCKJ) March 5, 2014

Working on our laptops together is my type of intimacy

— Ciera Rogers (@iamcierarogers) August 18, 2020

Try using type!

Is type used correctly in the following sentence?

Wood, stone, and steel are common types of building materials.

How to use type in a sentence

The algorithms used to compute a biological age for each of the different data types—as well as the AgeMetric scoring mechanism—are either patented or patent-pending, Zhavoronkov said.
What’s your biological age? A new app promises to reveal it—and help you slow the aging process|Jeremy Kahn|September 17, 2020|Fortune
Now that the York team has identified the chemistry of human body odor, they can develop new types of deodorants, says Rudden.
Stinky success: Scientists identify the chemistry of B.O.|Alison Pearce Stevens|September 15, 2020|Science News For Students
I understood the kind of companies that got funded, the types that didn’t.
‘How I Built This’ host Guy Raz on insights from some of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs|Rachel King|September 15, 2020|Fortune
For years, their front office has been led by a different type of executive.
Everything Should Be On The Table For The Houston Rockets. Even James Harden’s Future.|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

However, this type of cell phone data can help agencies know how people behave as a storm approaches, perhaps giving them an opportunity to adjust their own approaches to evacuation orders, says Long.
Political rhetoric may impact your hurricane preparedness|Ula Chrobak|September 11, 2020|Popular-Science
But yes, I pictured a James Bond-type just sauntering over to her.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I have to think her body type played a role,” said Rachel Greenblatt, a Lecturer in Jewish Studies at Harvard University.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But Ally knows better and dresses tastefully for her age and body type now.
Inside A Finishing School for Transwomen|Sharon Adarlo|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sabrine was the outgoing, sociable type, and had many friends, while Ziad was shy and a little more introverted.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mistletoe is basically a vampire—but one of those an anti-hero type vampires.
Mistletoe is the Vampire of Plants|Helen Thompson|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Though the average speaker is generally limited by one type of voice, which he varies somewhat, it is not often disguised.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Accustomed to a written character, their eyes became wearied by the crabbedness and formality of type.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
True, she had never met the provincial type before, but she doubted if Rosewater had produced a crop of Isabel Otises.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
I must make no mistake, and blunder into a national type of features, all wrong; if I make your mask, it must do us credit.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
A mixed type of the present day Negro, she was slightly tall, and somewhat slender, with a figure straight and graceful.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for type (1 of 2)

type

/ (taɪp) /

noun

a kind, class, or category, the constituents of which share similar characteristics

a subdivision of a particular class of things or people; sortwhat type of shampoo do you use?

the general form, plan, or design distinguishing a particular group

informal a person who typifies a particular qualityhe's the administrative type

informal a person, esp of a specified kindhe's a strange type

a small block of metal or more rarely wood bearing a letter or character in relief for use in printing
such pieces collectively

characters printed from type; print

biology

the taxonomic group the characteristics of which are used for defining the next highest group, for example Rattus norvegicus (brown rat) is the type species of the rat genus Rattus
(as modifier)a type genus; a type species

See type specimen

the characteristic device on a coin

linguistics a symbol regarded as standing for the class of all symbols identical to itCompare token (def. 8)

logic a class of expressions or of the entities they represent that can all enter into the same syntactic relations. The theory of types was advanced by Bertrand Russell to avoid the liar paradox, Russell's paradox, etc

philosophy a universal. If a sentence always has the same meaning whenever it is used, the meaning is said to be a property of the sentence-typeCompare token (def. 9)

mainly Christian theol a figure, episode, or symbolic factor resembling some future reality in such a way as to foreshadow or prefigure it

rare a distinctive sign or mark

verb

to write (copy) on a typewriter

(tr) to be a symbol of; typify

(tr) to decide the type of; clarify into a type

(tr) med to determine the blood group of (a blood sample)

(tr) mainly Christian theol to foreshadow or serve as a symbol of (some future reality)

Word Origin for type

C15: from Latin typus figure, from Greek tupos image, from tuptein to strike

British Dictionary definitions for type (2 of 2)

-type

noun, combining form

type or formarchetype

printing type or photographic processcollotype

Word Origin for -type

from Latin -typus, from Greek -typos, from tupos type

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

type

OTHER WORDS FOR type

Origin of type

usage note for type

OTHER WORDS FROM type

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH type

Words nearby type

Other definitions for type (2 of 2)

MORE ABOUT TYPE

What is a basic definition of type?

Where does type come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is type used in real life?

Try using type!

Words related to type

How to use type in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for type (1 of 2)

Word Origin for type

British Dictionary definitions for type (2 of 2)

Word Origin for -type