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

Banks typically charge a bid-offer spread on whatever they are trading for investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Projects considered “low impact” will typically have a small cast and crew of 30 people or fewer and be able to fit their cars into parking areas on private property.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Xu called this “highly unusual” as there typically is more puts trading than calls, and indeed the last time this happened was Nov. 2019, she noted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

These kinds of changes are typically seen when genes responsible for maintaining cell shape are disrupted in other bacteria.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

Leah typically led the sessions, with Kate, Maggie, or both, serving as mediums.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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