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
- nontypically adverb
- quasi-typically adverb
- untypically adverb
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.
He noted that gas typically accounts for somewhere between 3% to 5% of consumer spending.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Under president Florentino Perez, managers' contracts have typically ended the moment those trophies disappear.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028 are eligible for the one-time, $1,000 tax-exempt deposit, which they typically can’t withdraw until they turn 18.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
Quality matters: Companies with strong cash flow, manageable leverage and pricing power are typically better positioned to navigate uneven growth and higher capital costs.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
An indentured servant was typically someone who agreed to work for several years in exchange for his or her passage, eventual freedom, and the promise of some land.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
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.
