verb
-
to be typical of; characterize
-
to symbolize or represent completely, by or as if by a type
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of typify
Explanation
To typify is to represent what is typical of something or someone. You might say that screaming and door slamming typify your spoiled cousin if that kind of behavior is exactly the kind of thing she usually does. Something that's characteristic of a group of people typifies them. You might observe, for example, that studying late on a Friday night typifies your college friends who are math majors. You could also say that sunny days and cool nights typify autumn in New England, since that's the typical weather for that particular place and time. The root word is Greek — typos, which means "dent, impression, mark, figure, or original form."
Vocabulary lists containing typify
"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Namesake
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Articles on Dangers of Technology
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
What better show to typify that era of relative calm than what the characters on “Seinfeld” described as a show about nothing?
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026
In the last month, the Irvine City Council has focused on the mundane, everyday decisions that typify local government.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2024
Wales' shirt numbers were falling off to confuse matters and typify the frantic opening exchanges.
From BBC • Oct. 14, 2023
If it was a noninflammatory comment, it also is the kind that has seemed to come to typify who Witherspoon is — someone who doesn’t appear to be too awed by much of anything.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023
And the swelling buds of the little park seemed to typify all the strangenesses of the new world which was opening before her.
From Comrade Yetta by Edwards, Albert
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.
