typically
Americanadverb
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in a way that serves as or conforms to a type.
The study examines the eating patterns of both typically developing children and those who have intellectual or developmental delays.
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commonly or characteristically.
A Florida thunderstorm typically works like this: lightning and thunder, torrential rain, gusty winds, and then it’s all over in about 5 to 10 minutes.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of typically
Explanation
Use the adverb typically when something happens in a general or usual way. The winner of the Miss America pageant, for example, is typically a very tall, slender young woman with long hair. You might say that it typically takes a year to get a driver's license in your state — in other words, that's how long it takes as a general rule or on average. Or you could say that while you don't typically enjoy short stories, you read one recently that you can't get out of your mind. The adjective typical is at the root of typically, from the Late Latin typicus, "of a type," and the Greek typos, "impression."
Vocabulary lists containing typically
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Post reported that historic items are typically moved around the Pentagon premises by trained curators.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026
The average annual return on investment on equity is typically inflation plus about 5% or 6% a year, which would work out to around 8% or so right now.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
Historically, many private-equity firms have typically sought to hold their investments for three to five years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
The orders would typically be published, but could be made secret on national security grounds, it added.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
Today, many incarcerated people work in prison, typically earning far less than the minimum wage—often less than $3 per hour, sometimes as little as 25 cents.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
