typify

verb

typ·​i·​fy ˈti-pə-ˌfī How to pronounce typify (audio)
typified; typifying

transitive verb

1
: to represent in typical fashion : to constitute a typical mark or instance of
realism … that typified his earlier workCurrent Biography
2
: to embody the essential or salient characteristics of : be the type of
typification noun

Examples of typify in a Sentence

His heroic actions typified the courage of all the firefighters at the scene. The decor typifies the elegance of royal residences. He typifies what a professional athlete should be. Gothic architecture is typified by soaring rooflines and stained glass.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That move — rapid, direct and lethal — typified the difference between the two sides. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025 This episode, the first of 2025, instead mostly just comes across as bog-standard SNL — typified by one sketch Chappelle couldn’t even be bothered to appear in. Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2025 All of Overstreet’s paintings can be read as forms of dissent, and the ones at the Menil certainly typify his practice. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Feb. 2025 Then there’s the MAGA cult, whose bro culture Hegseth typifies: the big tattoos, womanizing and fervent Christian piety. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for typify

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of typify was in 1622

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Typify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typify. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

typify

verb
typ·​i·​fy ˈtip-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce typify (audio)
typified; typifying
1
2
: to have or include the special or main characteristics of

More from Merriam-Webster on typify

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!