typically

American  

[tip-i-klee] / ˈtɪp ɪ kli /

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nontypically adverb
• quasi-typically adverb
• untypically adverb

Etymology

Origin of typically

typical ( def. ) + -ly

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."

Example Sentences

DHL has previously said that it typically benefits from such disruption, as it can lean on its air and road network to offer customers alternative options when ocean transport isn’t viable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Spot helium prices could spike by 50%—200% in severe shortage scenarios, while contract prices are typically more stable but could increase 20%—40% on renegotiation, according to analysts at Fitch Ratings.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Teachers have typically lost several thousand dollars of pay that they are unlikely to get back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

In such cases, bans are typically backdated to the start of the provisional suspension, meaning his current return date would be around December 2028.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

She parrots the byline they typically run beneath my face.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• commonly
• consistently
• customarily
• frequently
• generally
• mostly
• naturally
• normally
• occasionally
• often
• ordinarily
• regularly
• routinely
• sometimes