typical

Rarely typ·ic

[tip-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. of the nature of or serving as a type or representative specimen.

   Synonyms: usual, stock, average, normal

2. conforming to a particular type.

3. Biology.,  exemplifying most nearly the essential characteristics of a higher group in natural history, and forming the type.

   the typical genus of a family.

4. characteristic or distinctive.

   He has the mannerisms typical of his class.

5. pertaining to, of the nature of, or serving as a type or emblem; symbolic.

typical

/ ˈtɪpɪkəl /

adjective

1. being or serving as a representative example of a particular type; characteristic

   the painting is a typical Rembrandt

2. considered to be an example of some undesirable trait

   that is typical of you!

3. of or relating to a representative specimen or type

4. conforming to a type

5. biology having most of the characteristics of a particular taxonomic group

   a typical species of a genus

Other Word Forms

• typicalness noun
• typically adverb
• typicality noun
• nontypical adjective
• nontypicalness noun
• quasi-typical adjective
• untypical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of typical¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin typicālis, equivalent to Late Latin typic(us) (from Greek typikós, equivalent to týp(os) type + -ikos -ic ) + Latin -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of typical¹

C17: from Medieval Latin typicālis, from Late Latin typicus figurative, from Greek tupikos, from tupos _type

Example Sentences

Instead of the typical rock-star tale that relives the glory days and gives short shrift to the rest, the former Black Sabbath frontman chose to lay bare his recent medical struggles in grisly detail.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

California has the highest home prices in the nation, and incomes are nowhere near sufficient for a typical family to purchase a house or condo.

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Including a typical premium, a deal would likely value the company well above that.

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The changes have also sparked tensions typical of gentrification.

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The Agriculture Department also responded with an apparent Hatch Act violation, saying: “Due to staff furloughs resulting from the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, the typical monitoring of this press inbox may be impacted.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• classic 
• common 
• commonplace 
• emblematic 
• exemplary 
• natural 
• normal 
• ordinary 
• quintessential 
• regular 
• symbolic