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

Vegetarians and vegans, who typically consume little or no creatine through diet, often start with lower levels and may respond more strongly to supplementation.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

This, we’re told, is highly unusual because women are typically viewed as more religious than men.

From Salon • May 4, 2026

They then weighed hiring rates for jobs that typically require a degree against affordability-adjusted pay in each location.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Millions of Shia Muslims from around the world typically flock to Najaf and fellow holy city Karbala every year.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

The men would stay there all week or perhaps even two, typically rooming with relatives or other Colored families, who would open their homes and charge for rooms and meals.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

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