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.
Even though I typically don’t work out on Sundays, sometimes I get a wild hair and do it anyway because I enjoy it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
VantageScore is provided by the main credit bureaus-Equifax, Experian and TransUnion-and is typically cheaper to use than FICO.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Testing by Which?, external shows it typically costs between 2p and 8p an hour to run an electric blanket at its highest setting.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
While all the demand is typically a good sign, it’s pressuring the cost of business supplies.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
These were typically female mediums who were entranced and spoke in the spirits’ voices.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
