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

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Etymology

Origin of typically

typical ( def. ) + -ly

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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

See Examples For:

typically

Value stocks are typically those of mature companies that might be growing slowly, are priced low relative to their earnings power, or both.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026

This measurable change in electrical activity typically occurs about 170 milliseconds after a person sees a face.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

The typically smug host appeared upset earlier this year at the Golden Globes when presenter Wanda Sykes roasted him and another nominee up for best performance in stand-up comedy on television, Ricky Gervais.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

Potentially cushioning the recent blows is the fact that departing partners typically forfeit their share of profits at the end of the year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

Unlike Joan, Bobby seemed to have little interest in school, and whenever Regina helped him with his homework he typically gave it short shrift, impatient to go back to chess.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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Related Words

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

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