typically
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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.
Higher deductibles typically mean lower monthly premiums, so “often, homeowners deliberately make this trade-off to keep monthly premiums manageable as coverage gets more expensive,” according to the Urban Institute.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026
The owner of a nearby indoor playground says families who have to lug strollers and diaper bags alongside small tots typically won’t opt for the bus over a car.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Chinese companies typically need approval mainland regulators’ approval to proceed with initial public offerings in Hong Kong.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Presidential candidates typically don’t spend much time in the arena at conventions.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026
Reconstruction is most typically described as stretching from 1863, when the North freed the slaves, to 1877, when it abandoned them and withdrew federal troops from the South.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions 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.
