examplenoun [ C ]
uk/ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/us/ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/example noun [ C ] (TYPICAL CASE)
A1 something that is typical of the group of things that it is a member of:
Could you give me an example of the improvements you have mentioned?
This painting is a marvellous example of her work.
See also
exemplify
A1 a way of helping someone to understand something by showing them how it is used:
Study the examples first of all, then attempt the exercises on the next page.
for example
A1 used when giving an example of the type of thing you mean:
Offices can easily become more environmentally-friendly by, for example, using recycled paper.
More examples
- This church is a perfect example of medieval architecture.
- 'She', 'it', and 'who' are all examples of pronouns.
- An early example of privatization was the enclosure of public land for private use by wealthy landlords.
- He's a classic example of a kid who's clever but lazy.
- Sweden is often held up as an example of a successful social democracy.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Samples and examples
- advertisement
- aliquot
- archetype
- benchmark
- classic
- classical
- core
- cross-section
- forerunner
- illustration
- instance
- job
- original
- role model
- sample
- showpiece
- sort
- swatch
- taste
- taster
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example noun [ C ] (BEHAVIOUR)
B2 a person or a way of behaving that is considered suitable to be copied:
He's a very good example to the rest of the class.
He's decided to follow the example of his father and study law.
More examples
- Mother Teresa's goodness is an example to us all.
- She was an inspiring example to her followers.
- Senior pupils are expected to set an example to the younger children.
- Mary always gets on with her homework after tea - why don't you follow her example?
- What kind of an example are the players setting to their fans, with this kind of violent and offensive behaviour?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Behaving, interacting and behaviour
- -behaved
- as ye sow, so shall ye reap idiom
- attachment disorder
- attitude
- bearing
- bedside manner
- behave
- carry on
- interact
- manner
- mannered
- mannerism
- meme
- model
- model yourself on sb
- sauce
- turn
- way
- what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander idiom
- yourself
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example noun [ C ] (PUNISHMENT)
a punishment that is intended to warn others against doing the thing that is being punished, or a person who receives such a punishment:
The judge made an example of him and gave him the maximum possible sentence.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Punishing & punishments
- bar
- be brought/called to account idiom
- boot
- bring
- bum rap
- carrot
- chastise
- clobber
- crucify
- kick
- kick (some) ass idiom
- non-custodial
- parking ticket
- penal
- penalize
- string
- strip
- throw
- throw the book at sb idiom
- wheel clamp
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Idiom(s)
set an example