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

But judges also have ethical obligations that typically prevent them from speaking directly to these ongoing threats, as well as an orientation toward maintaining silence on public political matters.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

April is typically a good month for the U.S. budget because of the influx of income tax payments around the Internal Revenue Service’s mid-month deadline.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Female calves are typically raised to become milk cows.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Mortgage rates dropped below 6% in late February, spurring optimism for a robust spring, which is typically the busiest time of year in the housing market.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Then I did something I don’t typically do: I prayed.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

Related Words

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