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.

---

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

Teachers have typically lost several thousand dollars of pay that they are unlikely to get back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

He added that demand for LNG is typically constant, meaning the port would need to operate 12 months of the year.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

This process typically involves requiring providers to update their information, including licenses, address, ownership, controlling interests and managing employees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

People ages 60 to 63 are typically on the cusp of retirement.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

These were typically female mediums who were entranced and spoke in the spirits’ voices.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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