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.
People typically buy annuity policies for an upfront sum, then receive payments for anywhere from a few years to their entire lives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who typically votes with Democrats, has backed a bill that would temporarily pause the development of advanced AI and permanently ban the development and deployment of “superintelligent” AI.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
While they do light cleaning, they typically draw the line at deep scrubbing, and they oversee not just the kids but all the details that keep a household running smoothly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
Even in some of the most severe cases, hormone levels sometimes dropped below the minimum thresholds typically used to diagnose primary aldosteronism.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
“Gaps between teeth are typically a cosmetic issue,” she admits.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
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.
