Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense typifies, present participle typifying, past tense, past participle typified
verb
If something or someone typifies a situation or type of thing or person, they have all the usual characteristics of it and are a typical example of it.
These two buildings typify the rich extremes of Irish architecture. [VERB noun]
... the Hollywood "misfit" typified by James Dean. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: represent, illustrate, sum up, characterize More Synonyms of typify
More Synonyms of typify
typify in British English
(ˈtɪpɪˌfaɪ)
verbWord forms: -fies, -fying or -fied(transitive)
1.
to be typical of; characterize
2.
to symbolize or represent completely, by or as if by a type
Derived forms
typification (ˌtypifiˈcation)
noun
typifier (ˈtypiˌfier)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin typustype + -ify
typify in American English
(ˈtɪpɪˌfaɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈtypiˌfied or ˈtypiˌfying
1.
to be a type or emblem of; symbolize; prefigure
2.
to have or show the distinctive characteristics of; be typical of; exemplify
Derived forms
typification (ˌtypifiˈcation)
noun
typifier (ˈtypiˌfier)
noun
Word origin
see type & -fy
Examples of 'typify' in a sentence
typify
It typifies the kind of guy he is.
The Sun (2016)
Sheriff is a father himself and typifies a new breed of dads.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His reaction to relegation typified the man.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The above typifies the problems investors have with such businesses.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Perhaps this typifies the problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Again & Again typifies the problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
typify
British English: typify VERB
If something or someone typifies a situation or type of thing or person, they have all the usual characteristics of it and are a typical example of it.
These two buildings typify the rich extremes of local architecture.
American English: typify
Brazilian Portuguese: tipificar
Chinese: 是…的典型
European Spanish: tipificar
French: être caractéristique de
German: typisch sein für
Italian: essere tipico di
Japanese: 象徴する
Korean: 전형이 되다
European Portuguese: tipificar
Latin American Spanish: tipificar
1 (verb)
Definition
to be typical of or characterize
These buildings typify the rich extremes of the local architecture.
Synonyms
represent
The cartoonist represents him as an old man in a dressing gown.
illustrate
She illustrates her analysis with extracts from interviews and discussions.
sum up
characterize
This election campaign has been characterized by violence.
embody
Jack Kennedy embodied all the hopes of the 1960s.
exemplify
The character exemplifies doubt and emotional turmoil.
personify
She seemed to personify goodness and nobility.
incarnate
epitomize
The goddess Selene epitomized perfect motherhood.
2 (verb)
Definition
to symbolize or represent
Synonyms
represent
He represents everything that is wrong with the modern world.
symbolize
The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of the Cold War.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of characterize
Definition
to be a characteristic of
This election campaign has been characterized by violence.
Synonyms
distinguish,
mark,
identify,
brand,
inform,
stamp,
typify
in the sense of embody
Definition
to be an example of or express (an idea or other abstract concept)
Jack Kennedy embodied all the hopes of the 1960s.
Synonyms
personify,
represent,
express,
realize,
incorporate,
stand for,
manifest,
exemplify,
symbolize,
typify,
incarnate,
actualize,
reify,
concretize
in the sense of epitomize
Definition
to be or make a perfect or typical example of
The goddess Selene epitomized perfect motherhood.
Synonyms
typify,
represent,
illustrate,
embody,
exemplify,
symbolize,
personify,
incarnate
Synonyms of 'typify'
typify
Explore 'typify' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of exemplify
Definition
to serve as an example of
The character exemplifies doubt and emotional turmoil.
Synonyms
show,
represent,
display,
demonstrate,
instance,
illustrate,
exhibit,
depict,
manifest,
evidence,
embody,
serve as an example of
in the sense of illustrate
Definition
to clarify or explain by use of examples or comparisons
She illustrates her analysis with extracts from interviews and discussions.
Synonyms
explain,
describe,
interpret,
sum up,
make clear,
clarify,
summarize,
bring home,
point up,
make plain,
elucidate
in the sense of personify
Definition
to be the embodiment of
She seemed to personify goodness and nobility.
Synonyms
embody,
represent,
express,
mirror,
exemplify,
symbolize,
typify,
incarnate,
image (rare),
epitomize,
body forth
in the sense of symbolize
Definition
to be a symbol of (something)
The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of the Cold War.